THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 
MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOFOID 


MEMOIRS 
*' 

^Charles  Dennis  ftufoe  D' 


A  NATIVE  OF  CAN  AD  At 

WAS    WITH  THE  $CANYAWTAU«ACAHI10OOT« 

INDIANS    Pf  hVIM   YEARS,    WITH  A   PART    CULAR 

ACCOUNT    OP  HIS  SUFFERINGS,  ItC.  Dl   UNO 

HIS   TARRY    WITH   THEM,  AND   HIS  SAi'ft 

RETURN  TG  HIS  FAMILY  CONNEC 

TIONS  IN  CANADA; 


/A: 


TO    WHICH    IS    ADDED 


N  A  P  P  E  N  D  I  X, 

CONTAINING 

BRIEF     ACCOUNT     OF     THEIR      PERSON'S, 


ME  NT,  &c.  FEASTS,  DANCES,  HUNTING,  WEA« 
roNs  OF  WAR, &c. MAKING  PEACE,  DIVERSIONS, 
COURTSHIP,  MARRIAGE,  RELIGIOUS  TENE;*. 
MODE  OF  WORSHIP,  DISEASES,  METHOD  or 
CURE,  BURYING  THEIR  DEAD,  CHARACTER. 
OF  THE  SCANYAWTAURACAHROOOTE  INDIANS, 
PARTICULAR  DESCRIPTION  or  THE  QUA 
pEDi,  BIRDS,  FISHES,  REPTILES  AND  INSECTS, 

H     AAE    TO    BR     MKT    W  IT  M   O  N  AN  O   I  N    TH  « 
VICINITY         t>  .  SCAN  VA  .VTAURACAHROOOTt 

IS  14 


Copp 


WTED  FOR,  AND  SOLD  IV  Hr.NRT  RjNLtT, 

"TBooT 


CONTENT 


page. 
related  s  birth  and  family  connexion,  7 

"General  Montgomery  enters  the  I  orders  of  Canada., 
Governor  Carlton   ij/lies  his  proclamation   to  the  inhab 

itants  of  Quebec,  -  9 

Condutt  of  the  related  s  father  in  taking  an  aftive  part 

dgainft  the  Brltijk^  -  -  ib. 

Attempt  made  by  General  Montgomery  .tojlorfi  Quebec  ^   10 
Confequsncc  of  Montgomery*  s  failure^  f>     +  -        ib* 

Condutt  of  the    BritifJj   officers  towards   Ihe  related  V 

family  connexions  ~  I  ib. 

Trial  of  the  delinquents,  -  II 

Sentence  pajjed  on  the  rdatert  -  f  ib. 

Lenity  of  the  Indians  towards  the  relate;  ib. 

Name  of  the  Indian  Tribe   to  whom  the    r  slater  was 

given,  .  12 

Narrated  t  foliloquy,  .  »  ib 


Friend/trip 

M31.Si.77 


CONTENTS. 

trip  of  the  fquawr,  »  13 

•f  an  fndian  chief,  and  the  confluence,         -  .^  ib. 
•  mads  to  the  Indians,  -  -  14 

at  Michilimakinack,  -          ib. 

tun  of  the  Indian* ,  and  confequence  thereof,          15 
'ion  of  Michilimakinak,  -  .  ib. 

—  of  Lake  Super  tar,         -  -  •       1 6 

re  from  Lake  Superior,  -  »  17 

at  Maocatah  River,         -  -  ib. 

ion  ef  a  remarkable  cavern,         w  -  18 

at  Red  River,  and  dcfcription  of  it,  -       19 

de  by  the  Annoowechen  Indians,         •  •     ib. 

wade  by  the  Scanyawtauragakrooote  Indians 
a  party  of  the  Awmwechen  Tribe,  -          2O 

of  executing  prifoncrs,  +         ~  -22 

at  Rontooroo  River,  •  »  «  2$ 

at  Scauyawtauragakrooote  village,    and  def- 
iptitn  thereof,  •»  •  •  24 

of  the  Indians  on  the  return  of  their  friends,  25 
ion  of  the  national  pipe,  and  its  uje,  -  26 
'an  Indian  chief,  -  -  -  28 

<er  commences  black-fmitb,  -  -      3 1 

to  Tartarrac,  *  »  »  32 

f  hunting  the  Buffalo,  •         35 

'tween  the  Scanyawtauragahrooote  Indians  and 
dtflant  'Tribe,  .  »  .43 

urjiey  to  Tartarrac,  -  .         .      46 

r>/  Tribe,  and  its  conference  .  53 

7k 


CONTENTS. 

The  relater  receives  a  new  name, 

Defer  ipt  ion  cf  afingular  plalr,         - 

Goxduft  ofafquaw  towards  the  relater  ivbenjtck, 

The  relater   kills    an    Indiana-trial  in    confeqt* 

thereof,  •> 

Condutt  of  an  Indian, 

Y£e  relater  obtains  leave  ofabfencf  and  departure, 
Conduft  of  an  Indian  Queen9 
Arrival  at  Detroit,  •  -  f 

at  Cttaraque,  - 

at  Quebec,  »  *  . 

at  St.  Nicola,  r- 

Mooving  fiene   between    the    relater   and    a    h 

Mfter, 

Joyful  meeting  of  father  and  fan  after  a  long  abfen* 
Condufl  of  Colonel  Campbell,          -  •  . 

Departure  of 'the  relater  from  Canada,  * 

Arrival  within  the  United  States, 
.  .          //;  Ne<w-HampJbire>  *  • 

Appendix, 

Of  their  perfins,  drefs,  &fr.  •          f* 

Of  their  manners,  &c.  Cs'c.  * 

Of  their  method  of  reckoning  time,  tSur. 
7 'heir  mode  ofgovermnent,  manner  of  conveying  it. 
gence  to  other  Tribes  in  alliance  with  them', 
Of*their  feafts  and  dances,  -  « 

Of  their  Hunting,  £sV. 

of  their  weapons  for  WRr,  tnethcd  of 
their  wars,  ^)V.  « 


?r  CO  N  T  E  N  T  S. 

Of  their  method  of  making  peace  with  other  Tribes^ 

Of  their  diver/lons9 

Of  their  manner   of  court/hip)  matrimonial    cet 

nies9  &c. 

Of  their  religious  tenet s.9  modes  ofworjhip,  &c.  144 

Of  their  difeafes,  method  of  Cure,  &c. ,  1 47 

Indian  fortitude  in  a  trying  hour,  •  -  150 

General  character  of    the    ScanyawtattragahrQaote 

Indians  9  -  -  -  -          155 

d particular  defer ipt ion  of  the  Quadrupeds 9  Birds , 
Fijhes9  Reptiles  and  Infefis,  which  are  to  be 
wet  with  on,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  ScanyaW' 
tauragahrooots  IJland,  -  -  je* 


t 

^MEMOIRS 

O  F 

Charles  Dennis- Rufoe 


JL  WAS  born  in  the  city  of 'Quebec 
&venth  day  of  April,  one  thoufand  feven  hrn 
fixty  one,  of  parents  much  Arr»«.^  iyjv  fatll( 
name  was  Lueis  Rufoe  D'Eres,  in  early  life 
the  blackfmith's  bufmefs  ;  foon  after  his  freec 
his  matter,  he  fettled  in  the  city,  and  by  indi 
fliort  time  acquired  much  property.  My  me 
a  defendant  from  a  family  of  good  rcpujatioi 
bee*  My  parents  lived  in  the  conjugal  fife  uj 
twenty-five  years,  during  this  period,  my  mo 
{Ixteeh  children,  of  which  number  I  was  the  3 
twelve  of  my  father's  children  died  previo 
birth.  My  mother  diedf*  foon  after  a  was  tx 
being  left  by  my  mother,  at  fo  e?£ly  a  peril 
saturally  drew  my  father's  attention  to  me,  I 
fbon  engrofled  his  affections,  and  ^vas  care^e 
and  his  family  ;  retiring  from  ^uiinds  he  f 

me  on  his  knee,  and  with  tears  drcj 

*  Metropolis  of  Lcwer  Canada  - 


8  MEMOIRS    OF 

his  eyes,  would,  with  a  deep  figh,  exclaim  ah,  my  litttc 
fon !  thy  mother,  under  whofe  watchful  eye  thy  edited 
lion  would  (under  die  fmiles  of  Providence)  have  been 
conduced  with  the  clofeft  attention,  and  doubtlefs  wth 
happy  fuccefs,  is  now  no  more  ;  in  you  I  behold  traces 
of  her  countenance,  &  at  times  almoft  lofethekeennefs  of 
my  farrows,  occafioned  by  my  lofs  in  her.  May  yout 
my  dear  fon,  be  continued  for  my  comfort,  through 
the  future  ftages  of  my  life,  and  a  prop  to  thy  fond 
father  through  his  declining  days.  Such  language  as 
the  foregoing,  I  was  frequently  entertained  with ; 
but  alas  !  his  joy  and  good  wifhes  for  future  days  of 
happy  enjoyment  were  form.  *«®  £*<=>"  cue  oir,  as  by 
liie  iubiequent  Narrative  will  appear. 

My  father  being  frequently  called  from  .a  private 
to  a  public  life,  had  many  opportunities  in  political 
fcience  to  improve  his  mind  ;  about  this  time,  that  iff 
when  I  arrived  at  the  fourteenth  year  of  my  age,  't.vas 
frequently  mentioned  m  private  circles  of  friends  in 
Quebec,  that  a  nip;  would  foon  take  place  between 
Great  Britain,  and  fome  (at  leaft)  of  her  American 
Colonies,  My  father  obtained  the  beti  information  con 
cerning  the  difpute,  foon  determined  in  favour  of  the 
Colonies,  and  being  fully  perfuaded  that  their  oppofi. 
tion  to  the  Britifh  miniflry,  would  prove  fuccefsful, 
he  ardently  wilhed  for  an  opportunity  of  proving  his 
faith  by  his  works.  In  October,  one  thoufand  fevea 
and  fevcnty-fivc,  General  Montgomery,  with 

a  large 


CHAR'LS   DKNNIS   RUSOE   D'ER 

rge  rtimbe  of  trdops  from  Newengland, 
ders  of  Canada,  with  an  intention  of  r 
^e  Anencan  ftandard.    The  troops  mad 
~s  tow  rds  Quebec,  without  much  oppo 
i  corr^ander  in  chief  of  Canada*,  iflut 
ati^,  giving  liberty  to  fuch  of  the  In' 
Jec  as  chofe  to  leave  the  city,  to  dep 
iited   time,  with  fuch  of  their  perfonal 
y  Ihould  choofe  to  carry,  promifmg  the 
ration  of  fuch  real    property  as  they 
id  them  (provided  the  rebellious  anrr 
;ed  in  their  .propofed  plan )  my  father  ; 
>f  this,  and  moved  with  his  family,  an 

mal  property,  as  were  portable  to  St. 
S  from  Quebec.  ^Leaving  in  the  city, 

large  amountjconfiftingof  a  fpaoious  d\ 
t  with  flone  and  lime,  and  covered  v 
ch  were  layed  feveral  coats  of  pair. 

tin   from    ruft — a  large    blackfmith 
.s  fufncient  to  employ   inany  workmen 

imployed  in  the  King's  works,  with 
dings  for  domeftic  ufe.  My  father 
uainted  with  General  Montgomery,  \\ 
k  an  active  part  againil  the  Britifh  gov 
;  honored  with  a  Captain's  corrirniffion, 
iy  marched  to  Quebec,  with  a  vie 
.0  the  American  faith.  A  general 
ong  the  officers,  took  place  r 

*  Mr.  Carlton. 


10  k;£MOlRS     OF 

mode  of  procedure  againft  the  city  ;  the  eful,  v. 
vras,  to  ilorm   it.     An  attempt  accordingly  t 
on  the  laft  day  of  December,  one  thoufanl  fev 
•  *    dred  and  feventy  five.       In    the  attempt  the 
Montgomery  fell,  whh  fome   of  his  officers  ( 
the  major  part  of  his  army  were  taken  and  irirp  V 
fome   few  only  efcaped,   among  thofe,  were   my  I 
&  only  brother.    My  father,  apprehenfive  of  the  evilct 
fequence  of  his  &  then-conduct,  in  taking  up  arms  againft 
the  King,  endeavoured  not  only  to  fecret  himfelf  &  fon 
from  the  royal  hunters  ;  but  alfo  to  fecure  as  many  of 
his  followers,  as  was   in    his    power.     He  owning   a 

fcoal  hut  in  the  woods,not  far  from  St.Nicola,  concluded 
there  to  hide  them  ;  to  this   place  they  retired,  intend 
ing  to  tarry  until  the  Britifh  \vrath  fubfided  ;    but  even 
•*n  this  retreat  they  were  difcovered.     My  Father  hav- 
ig  learned  this,  immediately  furnished  as  many  of  them 
;  was  in  his  power,  with  provifion,  a  pocket  compafs, 
d  other  neceflaries,  bid    them  Ihift   for  themfelves ; 
ilc  he  and  his  fon  returned  to  St,  Nicola,  to  provide 
mfelves  with  neceffaries,  intending  to  flee  to  a  more 
ant  and  more  fafe  retreat. :  all  which  by  fecret  intel- 
uce,  reached  the  ears  of  the  Commander  in  Chief  at 
bee,    who  immediately  fent  an  officer,  with  anum- 
f  men  to  St.  Nicola,  and  made  my  father,  brother,  &  - 
If,  though  young,  prisoners  ;  my  two  fifters  made 
efcape,  by  jumping  out  of  the  chamber  windows. 
>fhcer  ordered  his  men  to  fire   my  father's  houfe, 
irn  the  cattle  out  of  the  barn,  and*  to   burn  that 

alto. 


CHARES   UEHNIS   RU3OE   D'tRES.  11 

alfo,  which  was  foon  done,  and  in  a  few  moments  both 
buildings  were  levelled  with   the  ground.     We    were 
carried  prilbners  to  the  city,   in  the  night,  and  confined 
in  the  guard  houfe  ;  next  day  at  ten  o'clock  (the  time 
of  relieving  the  guard,)- we    were    bn   )  .".it  before   the 
••oneral  officers,  who,  after  a  lengih;,   trial,  pronounced 
the  following  fentence,viz.  that  my  father  and   brcther 
rhould  be  confined   in  the    common    goal,  th^re    to  re 
main  until  the  then  war  Ihould  clofe  ;  they  then  turn 
ing  to  me,  attentively  viewing  me,  obferving  my  (len 
der   &  youthfull  appearance,  being  then  fourteen  years 
and  eight  months  old,  faid  one  to  the  other,  what  foall 
we  do  with  this  little  yacikee,  this  little  rebel  ?it  will  not 
do  to  put  him  in  goal,  he  will  die  there  in  2   or  3  clays, 
2t  us  faid  one,  give  him  to  the  Indians  ;  let  them  take 
im,  kill  him,  fcalp  him,  or  do  what  they  will  with  him. 
lv  y dcarfather,onhearing  this  fentencepa/Tedon  me, faint 
ed  and  fell  to  the  ground.     1  in  the  utmoft  agony 
iid  begged'  to  be  ijjjfeafed  from  the  fentence,  but  all  to 
o  purpofe.     1  fpi'a^g   to  my   father,  clafped  my  arms 
ind  his  neck  and   ki fled  him.     On  his   recovery,  he 
pleaded  ear-neilly  tha-^  I  might  not  be  given  to  the  In 
dians  ;  but  all   in  vain,  they  violently  pulled  me  from 
him  and  pufhed  me   towards  the  Indians,  faying,  take 
that  little  Yankee,  that  little  Rebel,,  and  kill,    cr    fcalp 
him  5  do   with  him    as  you  pleafe  j  on  which  one  In- 
took  me  by  tht  hand  -and  forced  ins  from  my  dear- 

eft 


12  MEMOIRS    Ol? 

eft  connexions :  faying,  go  with  us,  we  no  kill  you  ;  we 
no  hurt  you  ;  he  French  boy. 

I  foon  learned  that  the  Indians,  to  whom  I  was  giv 
en,  were  offhe  Scanyawtauraguohrooote  tribe,  and  that 
they  lived  no  lefs  than  fifteen  hundred  miles  from  Que 
bec.  Thus  far,  reader,  I  have  led  you  on  in  my  narra 
tive  without  a  realizing  fenfe  of  my  certain  doom; 
now,  nothing  left  me  but  a  fmall  glimmer  of  hope,  that 
atfome  far  diftant  period,  if  life  remained  I  might  once 
more  realife  my  freedom  and  enjoy  the  tender  em 
braces  of  an  affectionate  and  tender  father,  brother 
and  lifters  ;  but  oh  !  how  can  I  defcribe  my  fituation  ! 
forced  from  my  father,  and  forbid  the  tender  embrace 
of  a  beloved  brother  and  of  near,  dear  and  truly  affec 
tionate  fifters,  now  under  the  controul  of  favages  of  the 
•wildernefs,  whofe  tender  mercies  are  cruelty.  My  at 
tachment  to  the  beloved  city,was  ib  great,  that  my  dread 
of  future  evil,  did  not  prevent  my  keeping  my  wifhful 
eyes  on  it  j  particularly  on  that  partrm  which  my  father 
dwelt. 

The  Indians  retired  from  Quebec  to  the  country, 
not  forgetting  to  take  me  with  them  ;  I  found  that  re- 
Aitance  was  in  vain,  I  therefore,  with  apparent  cheer- 
iulnefs,  trip'd  along  with  them,  frequently  turning  my 
glazed  eyes  towards  them,  and  viewing,  with  lr. 

thci 


CHARLES   DENNIS  RUSOE  B  £RE$.  13 

'their  Indian  drefs,  and  uncouth  appearance  ;  but,  con 
trary  to  my  fears,  they  ufed  me  tenderly  in  their  way  ; 
the  Squaws  appeared  more  mild  and  tender,  than  the 
men  ;  fawned  over  and  flattered  me,  and  by  this  mean, 
I  became  more  familiar  with  them,  and  frequently  ufcd 
to  run  to  them  for  protection,  when   I   thought  myfelf 
in  danger   from  the  men  ;  for  feverai  days,  I  fcarce- 
ly  eat  or  drank  with  them,   their  provifion  ana  mode 
of  living,  being  fo  difagreeable  to  me,  that  I  was  much 
reduced  for  want  of  proper  food.      After  being  with 
them  about  fifteen  days,  I  became  in  a  meufurc,  recon 
ciled  to  them,  and   uied  much   familiarity  with  them. 
One  day    an   Indiun  Chief,   took  me  by  my  hand, 
with  apparent  good  humour,  told  me  I  niuft  be  cl. 
like  them,  and  bid  me  pull  oil' my  breeches,  which  I  re 
luctantly  did  ;  he  then  put  on  me  a  clout,  and  belt,  In- 
ian-faihion,  and  threw  my  breeches  into  the  fire,  where 
were  foon  confumed*  ;  he  with  a  hnarty  laugh,  or- 
d  me  to  ftripoff  my  other  gaiments,  which  I  read 
ily  obeyed,  and  they  ihared  the  fame  fate  \viih  my  bree- 
5  he  then  completely  dreifed  me  in  an  Indian  uni- 
^confifting  of  a  blanket,  feathers,  &c  ;  giving  me  a 
fione  pipe  and  tobacco  pouch  ;  then  painted  niy  face, 
according  to  their  cuftom,  and   told    me    that  was  to 
s mke  me  look  fine  ;  then  flattered   me,   raying,  you  be 
good  boy  me   give  you  little  tomahawk,  fine  cap  and 
.roaches  j  me  no  give  you  name  now,  me  fee  her 
have,  then  give  you  name  ;•  you  be  bold  like  big  man, 

j?-ie 

B2 


14  MEMOIRS  or 

sue  give  you   name  like  great  King ;  you  be  coward, 
and  be  like  Squaw,  me  give  you  little  name  like  Squaw. 

About  three  months  after  I  \vas  given  to  the  In 
dians,  they  received  the  thanks  of  the  Britifh  govern 
ment,  (for  their  good  behaviour,) and  large  prefents,  and 
were  permitted  to  return  to  their  own  country.  They  di 
rected  their  courfe  to  fort  Michilimackinac,nine  hundred 
miles  northweft  of  Montreal ;  nothing  very  material, 
for  or  againfl  me,  turned  up  during  this  route ;  each 
day  I  attentively  liftened  to  their  language,  and  by  de 
grees  learned  to  fpeak  to,  and  anfwer  them  tolerabl- 
xvell ;  in  this,  the  Squaws  were  peculiarly  helpful.  A 
the  above  defcribed  place,  we  tarried  two  months, 
where  the  Indians  built  birch  canoes,  fufKcient  to  carry 
five  hundred  perfons  with  their  implements  for  hunting, 
and  fifhing.  There  we  drew  proviiion  from  the  king's 
Itore  ;  but  not  allowed  rum  for  daily  ufe,  with  which 
the  Indians  appeared  tolerably  fatisfied,  having  the 
promife  of  as  much  as  they  could  drink  the  laft  day 
of  their  tarry.  After  completing  their  canoes,  the  da' 
of  departure  arrived,  and  they  received  a  large  quantity 
-of  rum,  of  which  they  drank  fo  freely,  that  they  foon 
became  intoxicated,  almofl  to  a  man,  fo  that  but  a  few 
•were  able  to  take  care  of  the  prefents,  made  them  as  a- 
bove  related.  This  ftate  of  intoxication  laded  undl 
the  next  day,  when,  inftead  of  departing,  they  begge 
for  more  rum,  but  being  denied,  they  foon  became  r 

multuou 


CHARLES   DENNIS   RUSOE   D  EKES.  15 

multuous,  and  attempted  to  break  into  the  king's  {lores, 
which  was  foon  effected.  They  turned  out  a  number  of 
hogfiieads  of  rum,  the  garrifon  being  unable  to  prevent 
it ;  of  courfe,  the  Indians  foon  became  drunk,  and-  a 
general  clamour  fucceeded,  with  fighting,  Sanop  a- 
gainft  Squaw,  and  Squaw  againft  Sanop,  to  that  de 
gree,  that  many  were  in  danger  of  lofing  their  limbs, 
if  not  life  alfo.  This  fray  continued  until  the  rum  was 
wholly  exhaufted.  During  this  frolick,  about  fi:x;ty  In 
dians  of  the  Shawanee  tribe,  came  in  birch  canoes  load 
ed  with  fur,  propofing  to  trade  at  the  fort ;  the  Indiaas, 
of  whom  I  now  was  counted  one,  foon  began  to  quar 
rel  with  the  Shawanee  Indians,  engaged  them  with  hel- 
lifti  fury,  and  flaughtered  the  whole  number  in  the  moil 
barbarous  manner,  cutting  open  their  bodies,  while  a- 
live,  tearing  out  their  bowels,  plucking  their  hearts 
from  their  bodies,  and  greedily  eating  them,  even  while 
palpitating  in  their  hands  ;  incefTantly  yelling  and 
whooping  during  the  carnage,  which  was  followed  bf 
a  total  definition  of  their  canoes,  and  furs. 

After  fpending  five  days  in  the  manner  above  def- 
ciibed,  we  took  our  departure  from  Michilimakinak 
down  Lake  Superior.  Here  it  may  not  be  amifs  to  def- 
:ribe  Michilimakinak,  and  Lake  Superior. 

Michilimackinac,  is  an  ifland  near  the  entrance  of 
ike  Superior,  and  takes  its  name  from  the  appearance 

of 


c 


*  MEMOIRS    OF 

of  a  certain  ifland,  lying  about  fix,  or  feven  miles 
northeaft,  within  fight,  which  at  a  diftance  appears  not 
unlike  an  animal,  called  a  Tbrtoife  ;  the  word  Michili- 
makinak,  in  the  Indian  language,  fignifying  a  Tor- 
tofe.  On  this  ifland  of  Michilimakinak, .  is  a  ftockaded 
fort,  ufually  defended  with  one  hundred  men ;  here 
are  about  thirty  or  forty  dwelling-houfes,  one  of  which, 
belongs  to  the  governor,and  another  to  the  commifTaiy  ; 
feveral  traders  from  different  quaners  alib,  dwell  with- 
in  its  fortifications ;  here  trade  is  carried  on  with  In 
dians,  from  almofl  all  parts  of  America. 

Lake  Superior,  is  fo  called  on  account  of  its  fupen- 
ority  in  magnitude  to  any  of  the  lakes  on  the  continent 
of  America,  and  is  fuppofed  to  be  the  largeft  body  of 
frefh  water  on  the  globe  ;  in  circumference,  is  faid  to 
be  fixteen  hundred  miles.* 

Having  defcribed,  as  I  propofed,  the  ifland  of 
Michilimakinak,  and  Lake  Superior,  according  to  the 
beft  information  I  am  able  to  obtain,  I  now  proceed  in 
my  narrative. 

Steering  in  our  canoes  (as  near  as  I  could  guefs,) 
northweft,  we  were  foon  overtaken  with  a  heavy  gale 
of  wind,  which  continued  three  days  and  nights  ;  dur 
ing  which,  we  laboured  hard  ^  keep  our  canoes  before 
•the  wind,  to  prevent  upfetting,  not  being  able  to 

I 
*  According  to  French  Charts, 


CHARLES  B-ENNSS  RUSOE  D  £RES.  Ijr 

the  fli ore.  on,  either  fide,  by  reafon  of  huge  rocks  a.nd 
banks, which  in  many  places  were  nearly  perpendicular. 
On  the  fourth,  day  the  wind  abated,  towards  even 
ing  we  difcovered  an  ifland  to  which  we  paddled  and 
landed  thereon  ;  where  we  tarried  four  or  five  days  to 
refrefh  ourfelves,  and  to  catch  feme  game  and  fifti,  to 
recruit  our  ft  ores.  Here  we  caught  many  fifli  of  vari 
ous  kinds  ;  the  lake  abounding  in  fiili,  fuch  as  Trout,. 
Pike,  Pickerel  and  Perch,  with  many  others,  for  which- 
I  want  names. 

Having  provided  ourfelves  with  provifion,  confiding 
of  fifh,  and  fiefh,  fuch  as  the  ifland  afforded,  we  took 
our  departure  from  the  ifle,  and  continued  our  voyage 
notheriy,  and  in  about  thirty  days,  catching  fiih  as  of 
ten  as  occafion  required,  not  quitting  our  canoes  day 
nor  night,  we  were  obliged  to  eat  our  fweet  morfeis 
uncooked  j  realizing  that  barking  ftomacks  drain  no? 
compliments.  We  arrived  at  the  mouth  of  Maccatali 
River,,  which  comes  from  ftupendous  mountains,  lying 
far  north  from  this  river's  mouth,  which  is  about  thirty 
feet  wide,  the  waters  whereof,  are  of  an  extraordinary 
quality,  being  very  thick,  of  a  greeni£h  colour,  and  un 
fit  for  ufe.  This  river  runs  from  the  mountains  wuh 
great  rapidity  ;  at  the  bottom  of  which,  at  its  entrance 
into  the  lake,  are  discovered  large  rocks  of  a  redifh  crl, 
•which  our  Indians  called  blcod-ftone,  at  a  fhort  diftance 
north,  from  this,  river's  mouth,,  a  very  fmgular  opening 

appears 


i  MQJRS    OF 

appears  on  the  fide  of  a  mountain,  apparently  cut 
through  folid  rock,  which  is  very  hard  each  fide  of  the 
entrance,  is  of  a  black  colour,  and  very  fmooth  ;  the 
entrance  is  about  thirty  feet  diameter,  and  continues  of 
this  magnitude  fome  way  into  the  mountain  ;  many  of 
the  Indians  repeatedly  with  lighted  torches,  have  at 
tempted  to  trace  it  to  its  utmoft  extent ;  but  hitherto 
have  failed,  not  being  able  to  keep  torches  burning  for 
any  length  of  time,  gave  over  fearching  further.  The 
rock  at  the  entrance  is  ornamented  with  curious  carvings 
of  various  kinds,  fuch  as  animals  of  different  forms, 
fome  appear  fjfpended  from  the  rock,of  different  (napes, 
in  a  mod  curious  manner,  all  which  our  Indians 
could  not  account  for.  The  elded  cf  them  obfervcd, 
that  fuch  has  been  its  appearance  ever  fince  they  had. 
any  knowledge  of  the  place.  But  what  I  have  now  to 
relate  is  fill!  more  marvellous.. 

During  our  tarry  at  this  place  were  Heard,, at  all. 
times,  voices,  not  unlike  the  crying  of  young  children,, 
as  if  in  the  utmoil  diftrefs.  In  the  morning  are  plainly 
feen  on  the  fmooth  (and  on  the  beach,  at  the  mouth  of 
thJs  horrible  cavern,  marks  like  foot-fteps  of  children  ; 
and,  although  fmoothed  down  in  the  morning,  the  fol 
lowing  morning  fmiilar  marks  will  appear,  as  nume 
rous  as  the  preceeding  day.  From  this  place  we  con 
tinued  our  ccurfe  north  for  two  days  and  one  night  in. 
eur  canoes,  and  arrived  at  the  Red  River,  which  takes 


CHARLES    DENNSS  RUSOE   D*£RES,  il 

whooping  and  dancing  merrily,  as  if  partaking  of  the 
moft  agreeable  repaft.  Some  of  our  Indians  obferving 
my  backwardnefs  to  join  them,  ordered  me  to  do  as 
they  did — with  which  I  was  obliged  to  comply  fo  far, 
as  t»  fcoop  up  blood  into  my  hands,  and  daubed  it  over 
my  mouth  and  face,  to  make  them  believe  I  drank  it ; 
they  then  faid  I  was  good  man. 

The  prifoners  who  furvived,  T/ere  kept  confined 
without  any  fuftenance,  and  every  day  were  whipt  and 
tortured,  by  burning  their  ringers  ;  forcing  them  into 
their  pipes,  when  fmoaking,  and  there  confining  them, 
until  burnt  to  the  bone  ;  whooping  and  dancing  round 
them- — this  was  their  practice  day  by  day,  until  this 
fcene  changed,  by  a  fcene  more  horrible,  which  cannot 
be  realized  by  my  readers  ;  nothing  but  occular  dem- 
-onftration  can  bring  this  to  a  proper  point  of  view,  to 
this  day,  (a  recollection  of  the  fcene)  it  being  tranfa&ed 
before  my  eyes,  at  a  period  of  life,  whentheirnalleftim- 
preffion  muft  make  a  lafting  continuance—- even  now, 
makes  me  to  fhudder.  The  manner  of  facrifice,  is 
as  follows,  v iz. 

The  prifoner,  deftined  for  each  day's  diver  fion,  was 
led  from  among  his  companions  to  the  place  of  execu 
tion,  bound  with  ftrong  cords,  (prepared  from  fmews 
of  wild  animals,)  to  a  poll  iixed  in  the  ground,  to 
which  the  victim  is  flrongly  tied,  having  his  hands  fat 
tened  behind  him,  his  back  towards  the  pod,  and  in  fuch 
C 


22  MEMOIRS    OF 

a  manner,  that  he  could  ftep  round  from  fide  to  fide, 
keeping  his  back  towards  the  fixed  poll.  At  a  fmall 
diflance,  in  a  circular  form  round  the  unhappy  fufferer, 
fire  was  then  kindled,  confifting  of  pitch  pine  fplinters, 
with  other  combuftible  matter,  fo  as  to  make  a  fmall, 
but  conftant  fire.  As  foon  as  the  man  feds  the  heat, 
he  moves  with  a  view  to  fly  from  the  fire  ;  but  alas  I 
'tis  fruitlefs,  for  turn  which  way  he  will,  he  flill  feels 
the  force  of  the  incieafmg  element — our  Indians  then 
fhew  their  joy,  by  whooping,  dancing,  rattling  their 
kettles,  prepared  for  this  purpofe,  by  putting  fmall 
ftcnes  and  bullets  into  them.  This  diverfion  continues 
until  the  fufferer  appears  nearly  exhaufted.  The  prif- 
oner  during  his  fufFering  never  (hews  the  leaft  reluc 
tance  ;  but  often  would  fay,  you  no  underftand  befl 
way  to  torment — at  the  fame  time  pointing  out  differ 
ent  modes  of  punifhment ;  exultingly  would  whoop  and 
£ir,me'die  like  man,  fo  died  my  father,my  grand-father, 
and  all  good  fighters  die  like  men. 

When  the  prifoner  appears  nearly  expii  ing,  which 
is  known  by  his  faultering  voice,  and  declining  head  j 
the  by-ftanders  then,  to  ir»c.reafe  his  anguifh,  heat  the 
hails  cf  their  kettles  red  hot,  and  throw  them  over 
the  expiring  prifoner's  head,  which  caufes  him  to 
revive  and  greatly  enhances  his  torment,  in  his  lall 
nsoments.  This  awful  fcene  was  repeated  day  by 
day,  until  all  the  prifoners  were  executed.  We  tarrk 

ed 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOE  D  ERES,      23 

cd  here  but  a  few"  days  after  this  favage  repafl  clofed  ; 
but  attempted  to  recruit  our  provifion,  as  was  our  inva 
riable  pra&ice  at  every  ftage,  when  pra<5licable.  By  this 
time  I  became  more  Indian-lifke,  and  tolerably  content 
with  my  lot,  endeavouring  to  mimic  them  in  all  thew: 
manners  ;  finding  it  bed  to  be  a  conformift— for  by 
this,  I  found  that  they  were  pleafed,  and  I  foon  became 
their  favourite. 

From  this  ifland  we  departed,  and  paddled  half  a 
day,  fleering  fouth,  till  we  ftruck  the  fouth  ihore  of  Red 
River  ;  we  hauled  our  canoes  out  of  the  river,  and  trav 
elled  fifteen  miles,obferving  a  foutherly  courfe,  carrying 
our  canoes,  &c.  over  mountains,  valleys  and  recks,  un- 
*.!!  we  came  to  the  river,  called  Rontooroo  ;  \ve  in  cur 
canoes  following  this  river  (which  appear'd  narrow  on 
cur  firil  entrance)  forty-five  miles — here  the  river  is 
nine  miles  from  fhore  to  faore.  After  failing  feme  con- 
iidcrable  time,  further  down  the  wideft  part  of  this  river, 
which  kept  a  foutherly  courfe,  I  efpied  near  the  centre 
of  this  river,  a  very  large  ifland  (on  which  I  afterwards 
"earned  our  tribe  lived,)  on  a  nearer  approach  to  it,  I 
could  fee  a  very  large  number  of  buildings  in  a  form 
new  to  me,  thefe  were  wigwams,  conflr  noted  by  the  In 
dians,  and  fpread  over  a  large  extent.  They  appeared  in 
the  form  of  a  Cone,  circular,  broad  at  the  bottom,  and 
.gradually  falling  in  at  the  top,  which  ended  in  a  ftiull 
point,  with  a  hole  in  the  centre,  to  carry  off  fmoke,  £c. 
The  wigwams  appeared  nearly  of  equal  height,  which 

was 


24  MEMOIRS    OF 

'was  about  twenty  feet.  I  was  much  ftartled  at  the 
fight,  thinking  that  we  mould  foon  engage  our  ene 
mies,  and  a  horrible  fcene  of  war  would  enfue.  I  afk- 
cd  an  Indian  what  that  appearance  before  us  meant  ? 
A  Squaw  came  to  me  and  told  me  not  to  be  frightened* 
On  our  nearer  approach  to  the  fliore,  I  difcovered 
a  number  of  flags  hoifted  ;  fome  appeared  very  broad, 
and  long,  and  of  various  colours,  whereoa  were  drawn 
figures  of  animals  of  different  kinds,  and  neatly  execu 
ted.  The  inhabitants,  of  all  ages,  and  fexes,  ran  towards 
the  fiiore,  whooping  and  dancing  w^th  great  vehemence, 
at  which  I  was  terrified  to  that  degree,  that  I  fainted, 
expecting  foon  to  be  devoured  by  them.  A  number  of 
Squaws  came  to  me,  threw  water  in  my  face,  and  tick- 
led  the  bottoms  of  my  feet,  fides,  and  belly.  I  foon  re- 
vived,  and  we  landed.  The  people  on  fnore  hauled  our 
canoes  out  of  the  water,  and  took  care  of  our  baggage* 
&c  ;  all  which,  they  carried  from  the  water's  edge,  to 
different  wigwams,  in  a  manner,  before  tome  unknown* 
which  was  by  placing  them  at  arms  length  over  their 
heads,  whooping  extravagantly  as  they  pafTed  along. 
On  our  coming  to  the  centre  of  the  wigwams,  in 
an  open  fpace,  large  fires  were  kindled,  over  which  were 
hung  on  poles,  a  number  of  large  brafs  kettles,  contain 
ing  indian  corn,  and  meat  of  different  kinds.  At  a  fmall 
diftance  from  the  fire,  a  large  number  of  wood 
en  difhes  were  piled  up  bottom  upwards.  At  this 
place,  preparation  was  made  for  a  feaft,  prepared  for 

their 


CHARLES  DEN  N  IS   RUSOE   D^ERES,  2  5 

their  returning  friends.  The  whole  number  who  par 
took  of  this  feail,  amounted  to  fome  hundreds.  All 
were  feated  round  the  fire  crofs  kgged.  About  twenty 
Indians,  who  appeared  as  waiters,  brought  forward  the 
wooden  diihes,  and  with  ladles,  made  of  wood, 
filled  them  with  the  prepared  food  from  the  kettles ;  of 
which  no  one  mull  tafle,  until  the  whole  number  weix 
ferved,  and  then  all  muft  begin  at  once,  and  every  one 
muft  eat  all  contained  in  his  diin,  without  breaking  a 
bone,  or  hire  fome  others  to  eat  what  the  holder  of  hiu 
difli  could  not  devour.  A  large  bone  falling  to  my 
fhare,  I  took  it  from  my  difh,  and  with  a  ftone, 
tried  to  break  it  in  order  to  fuck  the  marrow  out 
of  it  ;  at  that  time  I  did  not  fully  comprehend 
the  mode  of  regulating  fo  important  a  feaft  ;  one  of 
the  chiefs  attentively  viewing  me,  fuw  my  tranfgref- 
flon,  immediately  fprung  from  his  feat,  and  with  an 
open  knife  in  his  hand,  made  directly  towards  me  ;  I 
was  much  alarmed,  and  darting  from  my  feat  on  the 
ground,  ran,  the  Indian  foon  overtook  me,  and  with  an 
apparent  defign  to  take  my  life,  caught  hold  of  my  arm  ; 
I  made  all  the  refinance  in  my  power,  by  fcratchmg, 
biting,  and  kicking  him,  but  all  to  no  purpofc  ;  for  he 
forced  me  back  to  my  feat,  and  bid  me  cat  all  in  my 
difh,  and  that  I  muft,  not  crack  a  bone  ;  he  then  retired 
to  his  feat.  This  manccuver  fo  affrighted  me,  that  I 
could  not  eat  any  more.  At  a  fmall  clifUnce  from  the 
f>lace  of  ftftivity,  was  prepared  a  Urge  pile  of  dry  wood, 

C  2  tO 


26  MEMOIRS    OF 

to  which  fire  was  put,  which  raged  with  fuch  rapid 
ity,  that  the  whole  pile,  which  was  large,  become  a  gen 
eral  conflagration.     To   this  place,  the  Indians  having 
finiflied  their  brotherly  feaft,   repaired  about   fun   fet, 
each  perfon  rifmg  from  his  feat,  all  at  once,   every  one 
carrying  his  difh  in  his  hand,  and   advancing   near  the 
fire,  threw  the  bones  into  it.     Various  inftruments  for 
mufic  were   alfo  brought  forward,  confifting  of  fmall 
kettles,  containing  bullets  and  fmall  ftones,  and  a  fmall 
piece  of  hard  wood  fcooped  out  fcx  large  as  to  contain 
about  two  quarts  ;  into  thefe  were  thrown  fmall  pebbles, 
each  one  containing  an  equal   quantity ;  this  piece  of 
wood  was  conftructed  in  an  orbicular  form,  into  which 
was  fixed  a  handle  about   fix   inches    in  length  ;  with 
thefe  inftruments,  adding  the   Indian  whoop,  commen 
cing  all  at  the  fame  time,  with  dancing  round  the  fire — 
all  engaging  without  diftinclion  of  age  or  fex,  ftruck  me 
with  an  agreeable  furprife.      This  continued  without 
intermiffion,  until  the  whole  conftructed   pile  of  wood 
was  confumed,  to  that  degree,  that  the  Indians  could 
run  over  it,  which  they  did,  ftamping  and   kicking  it 
about,  until  the  whole  was  extinguifhed.     The  nation 
al  pipe  was  then  brought  forward,  of  curious  conftriK- 
tion,  and  made  of  ftone  ;  the  bcwl  was  fo  large  as  to 
contain  feveral  pounds  of  tobacco,  with  curious  'engrav 
ings  on  the  outfide;  the  ftems*  confifted  of  many  joints, 
cquidiftant  one  joint  from  the  other,  all  of  ftone,  artful 
ly  made,  in  a  tubicular  form,  of  a  great  length  ;  under 

the 
*  Confining  of  five. 


CHARLES   DENNIS  RUSOE  D  £R£S.  2? 

the  bowl  was  placed  a  large  block  of  wood,  fo  as  tx> 
keep  it  upright  ;  directly  under  each  joint  of  the  ft  ems, 
was  placed  blocks,  continued  to  its  extremity,  at  which 
another  block  was  alfo  fixed,  upon  which,  each  India» 
was  to  lit  and  finoke  in  the  following  order. 

As  the  ftem  confided  of  feven  joints,  feven  Indian* 
were  alternately  called  to  thofe  laft  fixed  blocks  ;  the 
great  pipe  being  lighted,  the  firft  feven  carne  forward* 
one  after  the  other,  fitting  down,  and  drawing  three 
whiiFs  apiece,  withdrew.  This  continued  feven  at  a 
time,  coming  on  and  going  off,  in  the  fame  manner? 
until  the  whole  aflembled  multitude,  went  through  this 
ceremony.  This  was  their  method  of  renewing  and 
confirming  their  covenants  on  all  great  occafions,  ta 
ftrengthen  and  unite  their  nation  in  a  ftricr.  adherence 
to  their  laws,  thereby  to  regulate  their  proceedings  in 
war,  defenlive  or  offenfive,  in  peaceful  covenants  with 
other  tribes,  on  the  fafe  return  of  long  abfent  friends,  at 
marriages,  &c.  Thofe  ceremonies  were  ever  confider- 
cd,  and  kept  as  facred  and  binding  as  a  folemn  oath, 
Any  one  refufing  to  finoke  at  this  pipe,  were  ever  con> 
fidered,  and  treated  as  enemies  to  our  tribe,  and  ncft  un 
der  the  national  law ;  therefore,  liable  to  be  killed  with 
impunity,by  any  who  had  fmoked  the  great  pipe.  Thofe 
various  fcenes  continued  through  the  greateft  part  of 
the  night.  At  the  clofe,  our  Indian  Chief  afcended 
a  large  block  of  wood,  fixed  at  one  end  in  the  ground, 

fo 


£&  MEMOIRS  OF 

Co  high  as  to  contain  feveu  fleps ;  on  the  top  of  this 
block  he  fat  down,  crofs  legged ;  upon  which,  a 
profound  filence  was  kept  by  the  furrounding  multitude; 
he  then  made  a  fpeech,  directed  principally  to  thofe, 
who  had  affifled  their  friends,  the  Englifh,  and  had 
returned  to  their  tribe  in  peace,  to  the  following  pur- 
p-ofe,  ivz. 

li  Ye  fons  of  warriors,  you  have  played  the  man, 
you  have  honored  your  nation,  by  your  heroic  actions, 
in  furmounting  difficulties,  which  cannot  be  performed 
by  any,  except  by  the  Scanyawtauragahrooote  Tribe. 
Welcome  my  fons,  to  your  native  foil,  and  may  your 
good  conduct  on  th?s,  as  on  many  other  occafions,  be 
had  in  remembrance  by  you  and  your  friends  of  this 
nation.  Ever  keep  yourfelves  in  readinefs,  to  defend 
yourfelves,  and  deareft  connections,  from  the  a/Faults  of 
your  inveterate  foes  ;  which,  if  you  uniformly  obferve 
in  unity  with  your  brethren  of  this  Tribe,  we  have  noth 
ing  to  fear.  The  affaults  of  our  enemies,  however 
formidable,  and  fierce,  mud  in  the  end  prove  ineffectual. 
I  now  difmifs  you  with  my  fmcere  wifties,  that  you 
may  ever  prove  fuccefsful  in  war,  with  our  national 
enemies,  and  when  called  to  war  with  our  friendly 
allies ;  in  hunting  the  BuiFalo,  Bc:ii',  Beaver,  and  all 
other  great  and  good  game — in  catch  ing  the  big  fh% 
and  in  all  your  domeftic  concerns.  Each  of  you  now 
retire  to  his  respective,  peaceable  wigwam." 

The 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOE  D  ERESv. 


7 


The  Chief  having  finifhed  his  great  fpeech,  the  at 
tentive  multitude  fliew  their  approbation  by  a  general 
whoop,  with  dancing  round  the  great  man,  which  lail- 
ed  a  few  moments,  and  each  one  peaceably  retired  to 
his  home. 

My  reader  will  naturally  consider  me  as  npw  about  to 
encounter  many  new,  and  apparently  infuiinountable 
trials.  Being  far  removed,  notlefs  (as  I  conceive)  than 
15  or  1 6  hundred  mrles  from  my  native  country,  nev 
er  more  to  enjoy  domeftic  peace,  which  is  and  has  been 
the  happy  lot  of  many,  among  their  friends  ;  no  more 
to  enjoy  the  fraternal  embrace  of  the  kindeft  and  ten 
dered  of  fathers  ;  deprived  of  fweet  interviews  with  the 
beft  of  brothers,  and  two  moft  defnable  fitters  ;  add  to 
all  this,  a  total  deprivation  of  even  the  moft  diftant  prof- 
pect  of  a  tolerable  education  in  my  own  country,  and 
native  language.  My  education  at  the  time  of  my  be 
ing  given  to  the  Indians,  was,  as  it  were,  but  in  embrio. 
Now  inexprefTible  ideas  would  alternately  fill  my  youth 
ful  mind ;  deprived  of  the  comforts  and  convenience  of 
life  ;  not  fully  underftanding  the  Indian  language, 
thereby  unable  to  communicate  my  ideas  of  want,  aa,i 
forrow,  that  I  might  meet  with  fome  mitigation  at  leaft 
though  from  favages.  My  being  a  ftranger  to  air  except 
thofe  with  whom  I  had  journeyed,  being  conftantly  ex- 
pofed  to  their  infults,  and  every  day  liable  to  be  Jailed 
by  them,  and  ail  perhaps  by  my  unavoidably  commit 
ting 


3O  MEMOIRS    OF 

ting  blunders,  merely  for  want  of  a  thorough  knowl- 
dge  of  their  language  ;    add  to   this  the  difagreeable 
,-ianner  of  preparing  and  eating  their  food  ;  their  man- 
er  of  fleeping  ;  their  frequent  Indian  fellings,  all  coa- 
ributed  more   or  lefs  to   inhance  my  lonely  feelings, 
iowever,  I  foon  found  that  my  lamentations  would  be 
o  no  purpofe  ;  I  put  on  as  manly  a  countenance,  and  ac- 
ions  as  poffible,  trying  to  recommend  myfelf  to  their  fa- 
ourable  notice.     In  this,  I  was  £uccefsful,  being  often 
ailed  to  mingle  with  them  in  their  diverfions  ;  fuchas 
hooting  with  bow  and  arrow,  hunting,  &c.  This  Ifland 
'.  confidered  as  my  future  home.    Soon  after  my  arrival, 
.n  Indian  Squaw  obferving  my  difconfolate  flate,  and 
outhful     appearance,    made      me    a    vifit,    fawned 
wer  me,  and    claimed  me   as   her   fon,  and  told  me 
.( ihould  live  with  her.   1  gladly  accepted  the  invitation, 
went  with  her  and  foon  became  her  favourite  ;  ftr/cHy 
tbferving  fuch  of  her  orders  as  I  could  underfland ; 
:onftantly  following  her  wherever  (lie    went.       Here  I 
rannot  but  notice   the   interpolation  of  providence   to 
wards  me,  in  raffing  up  this  old  Squaw,  at  once,  to  be 
come  not  only  my  friend,  but  what  is  flill  much  greater, 
my  mother  alfo.    WiJi  this  Squaw,  I    enjoyed  myfelf 
tolerably  well.     My  following  her  about,  and  frequent 
vifits,  made  with  her  among  our  neighbors,  was  partic 
ularly  noticed   by   our  young  Indians,  infomuch,  that 
they  would  frequently  retoit  upon  me,  and  fay,  you  no 
leave  your  mother,  you  great  pappoofc  ;  this  netled  me, 

and 


CHARLESDtNNHS   RUSOE   D*ERES.  3! 

and  I  foon  became  acquainted  with,  and  followed  them 
for  awhile  in  their  diverfions.  One  day  in  my  walk  with 
my  comrades,  I  obferved  a  building  of  a  different  form, 
from  any  I  had  feen  on  this  ifland.  I  was  informed 
that  this  building  was  fome  years  before,  built  by  a 
Spaniard  to  carry  on  the  gun-fmith's  bufmefs,  who  had 
accumulated  great  wealth,  confiding  of  furs,  &c — our 
Indians  envying  him — killed  htm.  I  with  my  friends, 
entered  this  houfe,  which  was  built  with  fquare  dm- 
ber,  confined  at  each  end,  in  the  fame  manner  as  log 
houfes  are  built  in  this  country  ;  here  we  found  vari 
ous  tools,  fufficient  to  carry  on  the  black-fmith's,  gun- 
fmitk's,  and  filver-fmith's  bufinefs  ;  a  thought  (truck 
my  mind,  that  an  opportunity  now  prefented  for  me  to 
advance  rnyfelf  in  property  and  friendship  with  my  new 
friends.  I  learnt  that  the  Indians  did  not  make  any 
ufe  of  this  building  nor  tools  ;  I  foon  obtained  liberty 
to  improve  them  as  my  own.  My  father  having  in 
Canada  carried  on  the  black-fmith's  work  before  I  left 
htm,  as  well  as  after  my  return,  gave  me  frequent  op 
portunities  to  handle  his  tools  in  fome  little  mealUre, 
in  my  earlieft  life — I  now  commenced  Uack-fmith.  The 
firft  work  I  attempted,  was  to  make  a  fcalping  knife  in 
imitation  of  their's,  which  I  foon  efFefted,  much  to  their 
liking  ;  I  then  mended  fome  kettles,  made  feveral  tom 
ahawks,  fteel-traps,  mended  gun-locks,  &c.  I  now  be 
came  a  favourite  among  them,  and  of  no  fmall  con* 
fequence  with  them  ;  ftill  boarding  with  my  old  mother, 

the 


2  MEMOIRS    OF 

the  Squaw,  whofe  name  was  Chawwenfee.  Many  of 
my  comrades  importuned  me  to  live  with  them,  court 
ing  my  company,  and  favours,  but  my  mother  I  count 
ed  my  bell  friend,  therefore  kept  with  her.  My 
fhop  was  frequently  routed  with  them,  admiring  my 
workmanfliip  ;  faying,  I  could  work  as  well  as  the  Span 
iard  j — theyfoon  became  clamorous,  frequently  faying, 
you  mud  go  eat  with  us  ;  to  prevent  any  further  dif- 
pute,  I  often  gratified  them,  by  eating  with  them.  I  ob- 
ferved,  that  broaches  were  a  favourite  ornament  among 
them  began  to  makefome  but  poorly  executed,  a  numoer 
coming  inone  day,  I  bid  them  throw  all  their  broaches  into 
one  crucible,  which  they  did  telling  them  he  that  threw 
in  the  greateft  number  fhould  have  the  largeft  number 
of  new  ones,and  the  prettieft.  The  crucible  being  filled  I 
foon  melted  them  all  together,  turning  the  iilver  thus 
melted  into  a  brafs  kettle,  it  foon  became  one  folid  body, 
after  it  cooled  I  took  it  into  my  tongs  and  began  to  heat 
it,  as  I  heat  my  iron,  and  began  to  hammer  it,  telling 
one  of  them  to  ftrike  with  me,  the  filver  broke  in  pieces, 
I  faid  flop,  (lop,  we  muft  take  a  welding  heat.  I  then 
put  it  into  the  fire,  and  blew  it  briikiy,  then  attempt 
ing  to  take  it  out,  found  nothing  in  my  tongs  ;  the  In 
dians  then  btgan  to  whoop  &  laugh,  jumping  about  the 
fliop,  clapping  their  hands  with  many  contemptuous 
iheers,  this  I  could  not  well  relifh,  however  it  pafTed  off 
tolerably  well,  they  then  faid  you  muft  go  with  us 
to  Tartarrac*  where  lived  many  gold  fmith's,  who 

would 
*  A  Spanilb  fettlecacnt  in  New  Spain. 


CHARLES   DENNIS   RUSOE   D'fiRES.  3J 

would  learn  me  to  make  broaches.  I  a&ed  them  how 
far  it  was  to  that  place  ?  they  faid,  little  way,  nine  hun 
dred  miles.  I  had  now  lived  with  them  about  two 
years,  and  learnt  their  language,  and  habituated  my* 
felf  to  their  mode  of  living.  I  confented,  it  being  near 
autum,  the  ufual  time  of  their  going  to  Tartarrac 
to  trade. 

We  fet  out  in  our  canoes,  .confiding  of  forty-five, 
with  a  fmall  quantity  of  provifion.  The  number 
who  embarked  with  me,  were  feven  hundred, 
••men,  fquaws  and  children — carrying  with  us  fur  and 
.ginfang,  fit  for  a  Spanifh  market.  I  was  then  poffef* 
fed  of  the  largeft  (hare  of  any  one.  This  river  on 
which  we  embarked  is  very  wide  and  deep,  and  by  our 
Indians  called  Tartarrac  River. 

Our  voyage,  which  was  nearly  of  forty  days  contm-. 
nance,  and  without  any  impediment  by  rapids,  not 
having  oecafion  to  travel  by  land  any  part  of-  this 
great  diftance,  fometimes  (loping  to  catch  fifli,  as  occa- 
fion  required,  we  arrived  fafe  at  the  city  above  men 
tioned,  with  our  furs,  &c.  On  our  entering  the  city, 
we  were  kindly  received,  and  began  our  trade — our 
Indians  prefered  rum  and  other  fpirits,  in  preference  to 
any  other  articles,  in  exchange  for  theirs—and  now  a 
mod  horrible  fcene  commenced,  the  Indians  partaking 
too  freely  of  the  good  creature,  were  generally  drunk, 

and 
D 


&  MEMOIRS   OF 

and  with  tomahawks  and  fcalping  knives,  fell  on  with 
out  discrimination,  father  againft  fon,  and  fon  againfl 
father,  fanops  and  fquaws,  all  endeavoring  to  kill  the 
ftrft  perfon  they  met  with.  The  city  being  in  an  uproar, 
\ve  were  all  turned  without  the  walls,  and  prevented 
entering  until  the  tumult  Should  fubfide,  which 
was  not  until  the  next  morning.  Durin^  ths 
night  the  noife  and  confufion  was  kept  up — I  was  muck 
diflrefled  leaft  I  fhould  be  killed  among  them,  but  efca- 
jped  unhurt.  Early  in  the  morning,  upon  examina 
tion  we  found  four  of  our  number  killed,  and  many 
•ethers  badly  wounded.  The  inhabitants  learning  our 
peaceful  ftate,  fired  a  cannon  in  token  of  their  readinefs 
to  renew  our  trade  with  them — we  all  marched  in  and 
began  to  trade,  which  went  en  for  a  time  well ;  but 
the  juft  defcribed  fcene  foon  was  difcovered,  and  began 
to  take  place,  occafioned  by  rum — we  were  all  turned 
out  as  before  related.  This  receiving  into,  and  turn 
ing  out  of  the  city,  laded  four  days.  Such  was  my 
Situation,  that  I  had  no  opportunity  to  learn  the  method 
to  make  broaches.  In  this  confufion,  the  fifth  day  we 
left  the  city  without  knowing  how  .our  accounts  with 
Spaniards  ftood  ;  we  took  to  our  canoes,  paddling 
up  the  river  for  thirty-nine  days  and  nights,until  we  ar 
rived  at  our  ifland  ;  fupplying  ourfelves  with  fifh, 
by  catching  them  in  the  river,  and  eating  them 
cooking. 

Oa 


CHARLES   DENNIS  RUSOE   D*£RES. 

On  our  return,  xve  found  that  nothing  material  Bad 
happened  (to  our  friends  we  left  behind)  during  our 
abfence.  I  continued  my  bufmefs  at  my  forge  for  fome 
time,  but  the  hunting  feafon  coming  on,  our  young 
men  prepared  to  hunt  the  Buffalo,  and  by  general  invU 
tation  I  joined  them. 

We  took  our  departure*-'  ^n  our  ifland  early  in  the 
morning,  and  from  the  oppofite  fljore,  wefterly  we  trav- 
clled  through  the  woods  about  fifteen  or  twenty  miles — 
here,  in  a  convenient  place  we  halted,  in  the  wildernefs, 
to  reconnoitre  our  party,  confifting  of  fifteen  hundred, 
and  to  arrange  our  matters,  fo  as  to  make  a  fecure  and 
fuccefsful  hunt.  Our  firft  work  was,  to  form  a  hedge 
fence,  beginning  at  a  notherly  point,,  thence  extending 
fcutherly,  forming  two  fides  of  a  triangle,  to  fome  miles 
extent  ;  the  fence  was  built  Sufficiently  ftrong,  to  re 
tard  the  flight  of  the  Buffalo  on  that  quarter,  then 
from  the  fout&ermoft  point  of  the  fence  extending  to  a 
proper  length  eafter-ly,  a  living  fence  was  built  in  the  fol 
lowing  manner:  about  a  hundred  men  were  formed  thus, 
the  firil  with  his  left  hand  clafping  the  firft- ftake  in  the 
fence,  at  its  fouthermoft  extent,  thence  (landing  ir>  a 
eaftern  direcliqj^  the  length  of  his  arm,  thence  e*> 
ing  his  right  arm  its  whole  l«ngth,  one  oilier  man 
ftands  fimly  fi'xt,  with  arms  extending  as  the  fb; 
and  fo  on  in  the  fame  manner  until  the  whole  number 
sue  ia  this  manner,  coniiiling  of  a  hundred  men,  com 
pletely 


3^  MEMOIRS    OF 

pletely  formed.  This  fence  ferves  but  to  frighten  theBuf- 
falos  to  that  quarter,  guarded  by  the  impenetrable  hedge  > 
the  men  forming  their  part  of  the  fence  after  extending 
to  a  proper  length  eafterly,  are  continued  then  in  a 
circular  form,  towards  the  northern  point  of  the  hedge,, 
leaving  a  fpace  of  about  one  mile  between  the  two  ex 
tremes.  Having  thus  completed  our  fence,  a  number 
of  men  fuiTicient  for  the  purpofe,.  fcoure  the  woods, 
collect  ir>g  a  large  number  of  Buffalos,  (for  this  is  a 
Buffalo  hunt,)  not  regarding  animals  of  an  inferior 
bulk  or  value.  The  animals  roufed.  and  put  in  motion 
from  different  quarters,  are  by  their  drivers  collected 
into  one  general  company,  which  is  done  without  much 
trouble,  as  they  naturally  herd  together — the  hunters 
fcatter  as  much  as  they  can,  but  not  fo  far  as  to  pre 
vent  the  game  from  retreat  in  the  rear  ;  thus  drove  on> 
they  enter  the  opening,  as  above  defcribed.  The  ani 
mals  now  enclofed,  the  men  forming  the  northern  part 
of  the  line  join,  the  hunters  clofe  up  towards  the  fouth- 
ern  part  of  the  inclofure — the  herd  finding  no  efcape 
on  the  quarter  forming  the  hedge  fence,  fly  to  the  o- 
ther  quarter,  from  which  they  are  foon  driven  by  the 
living  fence,  formed  as  above  defcribed  ;  all  things 
now  prepared,  a  number  of  the  moft  ejHjpt  hunters  en 
ter  among  the  animals,  which  generally  confift  of  a  ve 
ry  large  number  of  old  and  young,  fat  and  lean.  The 
fated  and  beft  are  prefered,  leaving  the  poor  and  young- 
eft  for  future  fupplies.  Having  killed  as  many  as  v;z 

chofe, 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOE   D  ERES.  37 

chofe,  the  remainder  we  fet  at  liberty.  This  hunt  is 
performed  in  as  fecret  a  manner  as  poffible,  to  prevent 
the  neighboring  tribes  from  entering  our  borders,  and 
iharing  with  us,  in  our  diverfion  and  profits.  The 
Buffalos  kiljed  at  this  time,  are  brought  together  and 
drefTed,  by  fkinning  and  taking  out  their  entrails — the 
meat  is  preferved  by  fmoke,  as  is  practiced  by  the  In 
dians,  when  defirous  of  preferving  their  meat  any 
length  of  time,  which  when  fmoked>  is  fit  for  ufe.  The 
manner  of  fmoking  meat  is  thus,  a  long  and  narrow 
building,  built  by  fetting  up  poles  in  the  ground  at 
equal  diftance  one  from  the  other,  in  two  ftrait  lines, 
interwoven  with  flim,  pliable  poles,  covering  over  from 
fide  to  fide  of  the  thus  fixed  poles  with  bark,  they  are 
completed,  fit  to  receive  the  meat — this  receiver  is  ea« 
fily  and  fcon  completed,  as  they  are  temporarily  fet  up 
wherever  we  meet  a  fufficient  quantity  of  meat  worth 
fmoking.  The  fkins  taken  from  thofe  animals  are  dref- 
fed  immediately,  with  the  brains  and  marrow  of  the 
Original  owners,  which  when  drefFed,  leaving  the  hair 
on,  are  fit  for  trade  with  the  northern  tribes ;  with 
•whom  they  are  exchanged  for  mogafons,  &c.  The  In 
dians  are  careful  to  carry  each  man  a  (mall  quantity 
of  fait,  not  to  ufe  with  their  meat,  but  as  an  antidote 
agamft  the  bite  of  rattle  makes,  which  often  happens, 
and  to  extract  any  other  f  poifon.  Having  fmoke  J  our 
meat,  dreffed  our  {kins,  &c.  we  returned  with  our  boo 
ty  to  our  dwellings,  each  one  zeceiving  his  equal  fhare, 

On 
Bz 


38  MEMOIRS    Of 

On  my  return,  I  went  on  with  my  bufmefs  in  my 
fnop  as  heretofore  ;  fuch  was  the  demand  for  toma 
hawks,  traps,  Sec.  that  I  now  began  to  fix  prices  for  my 
work,  and  told  them  I  would  not  work  any  longer 
without  pay,  they  faid  what  muft  we  give  you  ?  I  faid,  I 
want  better  clothes  and  more  broaches ;  they  then 
brought  me  the  beft  blanket  that  could  be  found,  ad 
ding  a  large  number  of  broaches  of  the  beft  workman- 
fhip  ;  alfo  a  very  handfome  gun,  with  the  accoutre 
ments  fit  for  hunting,  &c.  Thus  encouraged,  I  ftrove 
to  pleafe  them,  which  I  happily  effected  in  a  iliort  time  ; 
they  frequently  vifited  me  at  my  fhop,  loading  me 
with  prefents  of  fur,  ginfung,  and  many  other  fmaller 
matters. 

This  pleafmg  fcene  continued  but  for  a  flioit  time, 
being  interrupted  by  news,  that  a  tribe  not  far  diftant, 
2:- id  encroached  on  our  hunting  ground.  On  this,  a 

:<cil  of  war  was  held,  confiding  of  the  whole  tribe, 
myfelf  included,  not  one  man  miffing.  Aiblemn  con- 
ibitation  was  held,  every  man  without  diflinclion  was 
allowed  freely  to  give  his  opinion  of  the  important 
rjueftion.  Shall  we  make  war,  and  drive  off  the  intru 
ders  ?  or  ftiali  we  allow  them  to  enter  our  borders  and 
bunt  with  impunity  ?  they  all  appeared  ready  and  \vil- 
iivjp-  to  make  war  with  and  drive  from  our  lands  the 
insulting  foe. 

I  attentively  liftened  to  the  debate,  but  was  fo-u*a 
fortunate  as  to  diffent  from  them   in  opinion.     I  wti* 

knsw 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOE  D*ERES.  39 

knew  that  my  advice  would  be  liflened  to,  and  be  by 
them  counted  of  much  weight.     I   therefore  with  the 
importance  of  a  councellor,  demanded   filence  and  at- , 
tention  to  what  I  was  about  to   fay   on   the  fubject— -• 
they  all,  with  filence,  liftening  fat.     This  making  war, 
faid  I,  upon  a  {lender  caufe  like  unto  the  prefent,  is  not 
jufliflable,  'tis  bad  policy,  we  have  no  certain  informa 
tion,  nothing  but  report,  no  one  will  fay  he  faw  this  in- 
trufion,  and  deftruclion  made  on  our  hunting  ground, 
?tis  but  hearfay  report ;    my  advice,  therefore  is>  that 
fome  one  trufty,  mild  (if  any  one  can  be  found)  mem 
ber  of  our  tribe  be  appointed,  and  properly  authorifed 
to  go  from  this  nation,   to   the   Rahatoree   Tribe,  the 
fuppofed  intruders,  and  there  make  proper  enquiry  in 
to  facls   touching  their  conduct   towards  us1       '-Ley 
have  intruded,  and  it  is  properly  fubftantiated 
immediately  return,  then   we  will  adopt,  anc 
the  beft  meafures  in  our  power  for  retalliatioi 
report  fhould  prove  groundlefs,   let  him  go  j 
further  to  ftrengthen  our  friendship. 

My  advice  was  approved  of  by  the  whole  \ 
and  was  immediately  put  in  pratfice  in  the  i'o\ 
manner.     One  of  the  number   was  chofen  ani 
ready  agreeably  to  the  prefcribed  method.     Tl 
linger  was  dre/Ted  in  our  ufual  mode — to  mal- 
refpe<5lable,  he  was  ornamented  with  wampum,  < 
ing  cf  beeds,  belts,  &c )  becoming  one  of  fo  mtiti 


4®  MEMOIRS    OF 

fequence ;  he  haftily  proceeded  on  his  journey— oa 
his  arrival  made  known  his  mefTage.  By  enquiring 
into  their  conduct,  whether  they  had  made  any  intru- 
fion  on  the  Scanyawtauragahrooote  Tribe  ;  the  an- 
fwer  was,  that  they  had  hunted  on  their  lands,  and 
that  they  would  whenever  they  faw  fit ;  if  our  tribe 
difliked  it,  they  might'take  what  meafares  they  though^ 
beft,  to  prevent  it.  Upon  this,  our  envoy  foon  return 
ed,  -and  reported  to  proper  peribns  of  eur  nation,  ap 
pointed  therefor.  This  report  having  been  made  pub* 
lie,  the  general  cry  was  War  !  War  i  the  whole  tribe 
affembled,  the  national  pipe,  already  defcribed,  was  by 
fpecial  order  brought  forward,  and  all  who  were  inclin 
ed  to  go  on  this  expedition,  were  to  fmoke  three  whiffs  a 
piece.  The  number  who  fmoked  on  this  occafion  confift- 
ed  of  five  thoufand.  Here  an  important  queftion  arofe, 
whether  we  ftiould  be  fuccefsful  or  not—to  determine 
this  'twas  necefTary  to  confult — the  Powow*  muft  be 
called  ;  who  living  at  fome  cliflance,  was  fent  for,  and 
foon  made  his  appearance.  The  place  into  which  the 
Powow  was  placed,  was  prepared  by  fixing  a  number 
cf  flexible  poles  in  the  ground,  thus,  one  end  drove 
down,  bending  over,  the  other  end  fixed  into  the  ground, 
forming  an  arch,  and  fo  on,  as  to  form  a  fpace  fufli- 
cient  to  contain  one  perfon  only— the  fpaces  between 
thefe  poles  were  filled  up  with  interweavings  of  bark, 
jine  and  twigs,  fo  clofely  as  not  to  admit  light ;  each 

end 
*  A  praying  Indian,  confulted  on  all  important  occafioas. 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOE   D  ER2S.  4! 

end  was  alfo  fecured,  fo   clofe   as  to  exclude   the  lead 
jay.     In  this  difmal   place   the  juggler   was   placed, 
confined  on   his>  back    with  ligatures,    crofTways   and 
lengthways  of  his  body,  in  fuch  a  manner,  as   to  pre 
vent  motion  in  any  one  member,  except  his  head.     He 
being  tkus  confined,  a   number  of  Indians   came  for 
ward,  and  formed  a  circle    round   him,  letting  en  the 
ground  crofs  legged,  with  blankets   covered  over  their 
heads,  obferving  a   profound   filence — in  a.  fhort   time 
£he    Powow    begins    to  mutter   in  a.  low   voice,  v&ich 
fifes  in  a  language  new  and   ftrange,  for    a  long  time, 
then  a  noijfe  is  heard  like    a.  rufhing  wind,    ringing  of 
bells,  £c  ;  in  about  fifteen  minutes,  the  prifoner  is   in* 
vincibly  releafed,  and   runs  violently  to    the  water,  fol 
lowed  by  his  crofs  legged  brethren,  and    * ' 
ues  fo  long  as  t©-  dive  three  times,  tken< 
the  water  ran  to   his  former  retreat,  th 
{peaking,  not  eating  or  drinking  for  t\v 
then  eats  and  drinks  plentifully  ;  after   v 
the   gaping    multitude     that   the     expe. 
prove  fuccefsful,  that  but   nine  hundred   men  would 
oppofe   them.    Upon  this  agreeable   information,  our 
Ifland  rang  with  whooping,  and  dancing,  rejoicing  and 
boafling  at  the  advantage  they  had-  of  five  thoufand 
oppofing  nine    hundred.       Orders   were   then  given, 
that    all  thofe    who     had    fmoked  the    great  pipe, 
{hould  immediately  prepare  to  march,  which  began  by 
painting  their  faces  in  the  following  manner  :  the  right 


4%  MEMOIRS    OF 

fide  red  with  half  the  nofe,  the  left  Tide  of  the  face  and 
nofe  black,  the  top  of  the  head,  which  is  without  hair, 
of  different  colours  chequer-wife,  all  which  denote 
courage  without  fear.  Each  man  fixed  on  his  warlike 
weapons,  and  were  ready — the  preparation  took  up  but 
two  days. 

With  twenty  canoes  we  left  our  ifland,  cautioufly 
paddled  to  the  main.  On  ftriking  the  fhore,  we  hauled 
up  our  canoes,  and  carried  them  on  our  backs,  crept 
through  the  bufhes  fome  miles,  until  we  came  to  a( 
great  lake  ;  on  an  ifland  in  this  lake,  our  enemies 
dwelt.  We,  without  noife,  put  our  canoes  into  the  wa 
ter,  and  paddled  within  a  few  rods  of  the  ifland  ;  here 
we  made  a  halt,  and  difpatched  a  fmall  number  to  re 
connoitre  the  ifland — of  this  party  I  war  one— (here  it 
VtiUit  be  ouferved,  that  our  canoes  were  of  various  fizes, 
fome  would  carry  twenty-fix  or  thirty  men  ;  the  largeil 
fix-  men  could  carry  with  eafe. )  On  ournear  approach,we 
faw  a  number  paddling  round  the  ifland,  as  if  to  keep  a 
good  look  out,  for  they  expected  us ;  we  foon  returned 
to  our  party,  and  informed  what  we  had  feen  ;  upon 
this,  our  whole  body  cautioufly  moved  on,  it  being  dark, 
as  we  came  afear,  keeping  a  profound  filence— our  ene 
mies'  arrows  whittled  about  our  ears  j  we  could  per 
ceive  them  in  quick  motion,  and  filent — they  had  much 
the  advantage  among  the  bufhes,  and  we  in  open  fight, 
and  before  we  recovered  the  fhore,  they  killed  25  of 

our 


C'KAR:LES   DENNIS  RUSOE  D  ERES,  43 

cur  number,  three  of  their  arrows  fluck  into  my  cap, 
I  being  in  one  of  the  foremoft  canoes.  The  night  being 
calm,  we  foon  went  on  fhore,  and  purfued  the  enemy 
in  all  directions — the  ifland  being  fmall,  we  foon  found 
their  lurking  places,  and  deftroyed  many,  As  foon  as 
day  light  appeared,  here  a  dreadful  carnnge  eniued, 
accompanied  with  favage  yelling,  which  ferved  but  to 
increafe  favage  fury.  Our  enemies  finding  our  number 
much  exceeded  theirs  they  endeavoured  to  make  off; 
fome  by  fwimming  from  the  ifland,  fome  took  to  their 
canoes,  but  we  prevented  them,  by  clofely  purfuing 
and  knocking  them  in  head,  fome  we  (hot  in  the  water  ; 
fome  who  had  reached  their  canoes,  we  alfo  (hot.  This 
carnage  went  on  with  increafing  fury,  until  nearly  all\ 
of  them  were  killed,  or  taken  alive  ;  a  fmall  number 
however,  reached  the  oppofite  fhore  ; — their  canoes  al 
fo  fell  chiefly  into  our  hands  ;  many  we  flove  in  pieces, 
others  we  kept  for  our  own  ufc.  Among  the  prifoners, 
we  culled  fifty  of  the  talleft  and  beft  men,  to  carry  our 
fpoils,  Sec.  to  our  ifland,  we  alfo  referved  one  boy,  the 
others  we  took,  were  directly  killed  in  a  moft  favage 
and  brutal  manner.  Thus  in  about  twenty-four  hours 
after  landing,  we  killed  and  took  the  whole  number  of 
the  enemy,  confiding  of  five  hundred.  Upon  examining 
our  party,  we  miffed  ninety-two  of  our  number,  includ 
ing  thofe  killed  on  our  landing. 

This  ifla.id  being  now  in  peace,   with  our  prifoners 
and  fpoil,  we  left  it,   and  without  any  material  hind 
rance 


M  MEMOIRS    OF 

Tance  we  arrived  at  our  ifland.  On  our  fafe  return, 
we  were  received  with  the  ufual  ceremonies,  performed 
on  fimilar  occafions  of  conqueft,  as  has  been  already 
.After  a  ihort  refrefhment,  a  council  was 
lield,  to  determine  in  what  mode  to  execute  the 
prifoners ;  the  refult  was,  to  bring  them  out  the  next 
morning,  and  in  the  moil  public  manner  proceed  as 
follov/s  :  fixteen  flakes  fixed  into  the  ground,  at  about 
fifty  feet  one  from  the  other  ;  at  each  ftake  one  prisoner 
was  tied  his  face  towards  the  ftake,  his  hind  parts  ex- 
pofed  to  die  perfecutors  5  then  a  large  number  of 
fquaws  appeared,  every  one  armed  with  a  club  of  three 
feet  in  length,  and  four  inches  in  circumference.  Round 
each  unhappy  fufferer,  a  ftrong  guard  is  placed,  to  pre 
vent  any  fquaw  from  liberating  a  prifoner,  which  fome- 
times  happen  without  this  precaution  ;—  this  done,  the 
fquaws  march  in  a  fingle  file,  giving  every  prifoner  one 
blow  on  his  naked  back  ;  when  they  came  to  the  boy,  the 
fquaws  unitedly  begged  his  life,  which  by  the  Indian 
Chiefs  was  granted,  and  given  to  me,  who  afterwards 
became  fmgularly  ufeful,  and  tarried  with  me  during 
my  flay  wiA  the  Indians  ;  after  the  fquaws  had  per 
formed  their  part,  then  an  equal  number  of  boys,  each 
one  with  his  pipe  filled  with  tobacco  and  fire,  went  up, 
thrufting  the  fufferers'  fingers  into  the  pipe,  when  hot, 
confining  them  until  the  finger  was  bliftered ;  then  a 
number  of  other  boys  came  on,  and  with  blunt  arrows, 
fliot  at  them,  never  miffing  the  mark — this  continued 

for 


CHARLES   DENNIS   RUSOE 

xtfr  three  days.  The  prifoners  were  kept  in  the  fame 
pofition,  without  any  fuftenance  during  the  whole 
tranfadfcion,  all  which  they  bore  without  any  feerning 
reluctance,  although  irritated  with  reflexions  on  their 
paft  conduct,  as  cowards,  and  of  unequal  ftrength  to 
•oppofe  our  tribe,  and  by  bringing  food  before  them, 
and  frequently  put  to  their  mouths,  of  which  they 
were  forbid  to  tafte.  At  the  expiration  of  the  third 
day,  their  bodies  appeared  one  general  wound  ;  then 
dry  wood  was  brought  and  piled  around  each  vic 
tim,  and  fet  on  £re  at  each  corner  ;  when  enfued  dan 
cing,  £<c.  round  the  confuming  pile,  in  the  fame  man- 
n'er  as  hath  already  been  related  'on  fimilar  occasions. 

This  more  than  brutal  fcene  being  {inifhed,  which 
took  up  fome  days,  the  tormentors  and  other  fpectators 
•went  each  one  to  his  wigwam,  I  to  my  {hop,  with  my 
bar,  whom  I  confidered  as  my  apprentice.  Myblifinefs 
daily  increasing,  and  cuftomers  punctual  in  payment, 
gave  me  peculiar  pleafure,  fo  that  1  aimed  forgot  my 
former  mode  of  living,  and  fweets  of  a  relative  life  ; 
frequentl  '  -  myfelf  by  fiiliiag,  and  hunt 

ing  near 

The  t  had   laboured  und'er,  during 

my  per'  dered  it  almoft  impciilble  to  ki>cp 

a  true  '  reader,  therefore,  mull  not  expect 

aft  exa  ..e  times,  in  which  the  feveral  tranf 

acli 

E 


46  MEMOIRS   OT 

,<i<5hons  took  place,  as  mentioned  in  this  detail,  although 
.perfectly  true, 

And  now  about  this  time,  another  tramp  to  Tartar- 
rac  was  planned,  and  preparation  was  accordingly 
-made,  by  collecling  together  our  fur,  ginfang,  6cc» 
Thus  prepared,  we  fet  off  in  our  canoes,  and  frequent 
ly  put  on  fiiore  on  either  fide  of  the  river,  to  catch 
Wild  Turkeys,  and  other  fmall  game.  One  day  as  I 
was  travelling  through  fome  woods  near  the  river,  I  ef« 
:pied  a  Monkey,  and  foon  caught  him,  and  carried  him 
in  my  canoe  to  Tartarrac,  where  we  arrived  in  the  ufu- 
al  time  fpent  in  paddling  down  to  the  city—  on  our  being 
admitted,  we  began  our  trade,  I  took  my  Monkey* 
tinder  my  arm,  travelled  through  feveral  ftreets  trying 
to  fell  him  ;  at  length  I  faw  a  boy  {landing  near  an  ele 
gant  houfe,  I  afked  him  in  Indian  language,  if  he 
would  buy  my  Monkey  ?  he  anfwered,  his  'mailer  was 
gone  from  home,  but  if  I  would  flop  he  would  go  up. 
{Lairs  and  afk  his  miftrefs  —  he  then  took  a  key  from 
liis  pocket,  ran  up  ft  airs,  foon  returned  and  afked  my 
price  ?  I  foid,  three  dollars  —  he  took  my  Monkey,  car- 
•ru-1  it  to  his  mifireis  —  returned,  and  in  luiu  of  my  Pugy 
gave  me  my  price  ;  I  was  then  invited  to  eat,  which  I 
gladly  accepted.  While  I  was  eating,  ***'  rr.after  re 

turned  % 


*  They  Vive  on  nuts   and   olbcr  vegetables, 
g  in  the 


CHARLES   0ENNIS  RU'SOS   D*£RES.  47 

turned,  and  immediately  went  up  ftairs  to  his  lady,  fee 
ing  a  Monkey  in  her  lap,  enquired  how  (he  procured 
iim  ?  fhe  anfwered,  a  young  Indian  left  it  with  her — Ite 
afked  if  it  might  be  bought  ?  fhe  anfwered,  the  owner 
is  below.  He  immediately  came  down  to  me,  and  a  ik 
ed  if  I  owned  the  Monkey  ?  if  I  would  fell  him  ?  I  re 
plied  yes,  and  will  take  what  you  pleafe  to  give,  (for  I 
found  he  knew  nothing  of  my  trade  with  his  will.) 
After  I  had  eat  and  drank •fu-fficieritly,  he  afked  me  to 
go  with  him  to  his  flore  ?  I  fallowed  him,  and  he 
gave  me  two  dollars  in  money,  and  three  dollars  in  ar 
ticles  I  wanted,  and  found  there.  Now  the  Monkey  is 
his,  the  money  and  fetch  articles  as  he  gave  are  mine. 

In  flaring  round  the  (lore,  I  f;nv  a  number  of  cdly 
formed  things,  appearing  fomething    like  crofs  i 
locked  together  with  padlocks ;  the  boy  being  prefent, 
the  merchant  left  the  (lore — I  having  an  itching  ddire. 
to  know  the  exact  form,  and   ufe  of  them,  I  took  i:p 
one  in  my  hand,  viewing  it  attentively,  I 
part  lined    and  fluffed   with   woo!  ;  I  afked    - 
(who  could  converfe  in  our  language)  what  it  was  ?  and 
of  what  ufe  ?  he  told  me  that  the  Spaniards  were  jeal 
ous  of  their  w'-^s,    and  to  prevent  an  unlawful    ir 
courfe  with  ot:    -Jmen,  this  inftruinent  was    contrived, 
and  always  by  the  hu&;ind  put  on  and  locked   round 
his  wife,  in  fuch  a  manner,  as  to  prevent  any  irrimodtil 
connections  between  different  fcxes — this   the  hufband 


48  MEMOIRS    OF, 

never  neglected,  when  about  tchleave  his  wife,  even  bur 
for  a  fhort  time.  That  was  the  invariable  practice,  as 
the  boy  told  me  with  his  matter,  which  accounts  for 
the  boy's  taking  a  key  from  his  pocket,  and  going  up 
flairs,  when  I  offered  to  fell  him  my  Monkey  ;  for  the 
hufband  never  leaves  his  houfe,  until  his  wife  is  prop 
erly  equiped,  and  locked  up  in  her  chamber,  the  key  of 
which,  and  of  t?ie  padlock,  is  delivered  to  the  maid  or 
boy  of  the  family,  who  keeps  them  until  the  re 
turn  of  the  hufband,  and. to  him  only,  are  the  keys  der 
livered.* 

I  left  the  ftcre  and.  joined  my  brethren,  to  whom  I 
communicated  my  good  luck.  We  went  on  with  our. 
trade  tolerably  well,  in  purchafmg  fonie  iron,  fleel, 
led  and  powder,  with  many  other  neceffary  articles,  all 
\vhich  I  carefully  (lowed  in  our  canoes — the  manage 
ment  cf  our  trade,  &c.  devolving  principally  on  me. 
Having  now  brought  the  Indians  into  fudrfubjeclion, 
that  I  could  fay  to  one  come,  and  he  came,  to  another 

,,!  four  days  only,  at  this  time  in  Tartar* 

:.nh  and    lafl  day,  cur    Indians  began  to- 

break 

M 

ich  is  the   jealoufy  oF  the  Tartarrac    Spaniard,  that  if  a 
id  finds  his  wife    converting  wilh  any  other  man," it  aften 
proves  fatal  to  one  or  both. 


t 
CHARLES  DENNIS  RUbOE  1/ERE^.     49 

treak  over  the  orders,  and  drank  too  freely-— -the  fuo 
cccding  night  became  a  fcene  of  horror  and  bloodihed- 
I  had  as  much  as  I.  could  do,  to  keep  them  from  del- 
troying  one. another — by  my  exertion,  the  greater  part 
of  their  weapons  were  kept  from  them  ;  however,  one 
young  Indian  found  means  to  procure  a  tomahawk,  and 
did  much  mifchief,  before  I  had  knowledge  of  it.  An 
old  fquaw  came  running  to  me,  and.  inform'd  that  two 
of  them,  father  and  fon,  had  engaged.  I'fprung  for 
ward,  catched  a  club,  ran  to  them,  ordered  the  fon  im 
mediately  to  give  up  his  weapon  ;  which  he,  knowing 
my  voice,  gave  to  me — turning  myfelf  from  them, 
they  made  a  moft  hideous  yell — I  turned,  and  found 
the  fon  had  got  his  father  by  his  head,  which  he  fu'ddcn- 
ly  pulled  down,  and'againfir'his  up-lifted  knee,  broke 
his  father's  neck".  Tire  fon  immediately  abfcanded, 
and  has  never  been  feen  with  us  fmce.  No  other  death 
happened  through  the  night.  The  force  of  the  liquor. 
having  abated,'  a  new  fcene  now  took  place  as  follows : 
The  whola  number  feated  themfelves'  in  companies  on 
the  ground*  crofslegged ;;  each  one  throwing  his  blan 
ket  over  his  head — all  feated  in  a  circular  form,  a  hid 
eous  yelling  commenced  ;  each  one  lamenting  his  own 
misfortunes,  the  lofs  of  his  grand  father,  his  father,  and 
other  friends.  This  continued  for  feme  hours,  after 
which,  we  prepared  to  return. 

My  vifits  to  Tartarrac,  to  me  were  very  agreeable, 
an  opportunity  of  convening   with  people  who 

conduced 
£2 


50  MEMOIRS    OF 

conduced  much  as  the  people  of  Canada..  Their  bread  I 
was  much  pleafed  with. 

Our  bufmefs  being  conducted  much  as  heretofore, 
\ve  teok  to  our  canoes,  and  in  the  ufual  time  returned 
to  our  friends.  On  my  return,  I  and  my  boy  v/ent  on 
with  our  bufinefs— -our  Indians  employed  in  their  feve- 
ral  diverfions,  for  the  men  never  perform  any  manual 
labour,  except  making  inftruments  for  war.  The 
fquaws  always  perform  the  harveft  work,  fuch  as  to 
plant  and  drefs  the  corn,  bring  from  the  woods  fuch 
game  as  the  hunters  from  time  to  time  recover. 

In  about  fix  months  after  our  return,  fome  of  our 
warriors  formed  a  plan  to  rob  a  diftant  nation  of  their 
furs,  &c.  (for  they  continue  peaceable  but  for  a  fhort 
time  together.)  This  nation  was  called  the  White  In- 
di  :.i,  and  lived  about  three  hundred  miles  north. 
Five  hundred  of  the  fprieft  and  moft  enterprifmg  of  our 
Indians,  of  whom  I  was  counted  one,  went  through 
the  ceremonies  ufually  practifed  on  like  occaiions,  fet 
out  on  the  propofed  robbery,  without  any  provifion,  de 
pending  wholly  on  hunting  for  a  fupply. 

We  marched  with  proper  guides  for   three  weeks. 

ning  near  to  the  place  of  deftination,  we  made  a 
halt,  and  confulted  the  beft  method  to  fall  upon  them. 
*Twas  agreed  that  a  number  fuftkient  for  the  purpofc, 

(for 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOE  D'ERES,  'g  a 

•(for  they  were  a  harmlefs,  defencelefs  people)  fhould 
divide  themfelves  inta  fraall  companies  of  two  each — 
every  company  take  a -different  rout  in  a  circuitous 
march  round  the  mountain.*  My  companion,  with 
whom  I  travelled,  took  orders  and  departed,  both  car- 
tying  fire  arms  and  ammunition,  with  a  ftricl  charge 
to  return  at  a  certain  time,  as  had  been  agreed  on, 
whether  fuccefsful  or  not^ 

We  travelled  five  days,  without  making  any  difcov- 
ery  ;  at  length,  on  the  fixth  day,  as  we  were  chatting 
together,  my  friend  efpied  a  man  (landing  naked,  with  - 
a  bow  in  his  handy  at  the  entrance  of  a  cave — I  ran  to 
him,  and  with  my  tomahawk  difpatched  him — he  did 
not  fhoot,  although  armed  with  bow  and  arrow.  The 
way  being  prepared  for  our  entrance  into  the  cavern 
in  fearch  for  plunder,  a  difpute  arofe  between  us,  who 
ihould  enter  firft  ;  we  at  length  determined  by  calling 
lots,  and  the  lot  fell  on  me.  I  with  a  lighted  torch  en 
tered,  my  friend  followed  with  his  tomahawk  clofe  to 
my  heels — here  we  met  with  many  difficulties ;  I  with 
my  torch  in  my  left  hand,  my  tomahawk  in  my  right ; 
he  with  his  loaded  gun  in  one  hand  and  tomahawk  in 
the  other  ;  we  crawled  on  our  hands  and  knees,  fcarce- 

ly  daring  to   breathe,   much   lefs   to   whiiper.     After 

• 

moving 

*  They  dug  into  a  mountain,  and  fccrctcd  themfe'vcs  and 
property  in  caves. 


5 2*  MEM'OfRS'   OF 

moving  on  for  fome  confiderable  length,  we  were  ftopt 
by  a  fhort  turn  to  die  right  ;  from  thence  creeping 
forward  with  as  much  filence  as  poffible,  I  found  ano 
ther  turn  to  the  left ;  in  this  courfe  we  fteered  for  fome 
time,  at  length  I  difcovered- by  the  light  of  my  torch,, 
a  large  opening,  apparently  of  about  fifteen  or  twenly 
feet-fquare.  In  this-  opening  we  difcovercd  a  number 
moving  about.  I  then  began  to  realife  my  fituation, 
to  be  more  critical  than  ever  before  or  fmce— no  re 
treat,  for  we  could 'not  turn  to  get  out,  our  enemies 
before  us,  and  we  knew  not  in  what  manner  they  were 
prepared  to  receive  us.*  On  our  nearer  approach,  we 
raifed  our  voices  into  yelling  and '  whooping,  in  order 
to  intimidate  them,  and  prevent  .their  making  any  de 
fence—  this  fucceeded,  and  prevented  their;  making  the 
leafl  defence.  They  all,  confiding  of  four  women,  five 
men  and  three  children,  huddled  together  in  one  corner 
— here  as  was  previoufl'y  agreed  on,  I  waved  my  torch 
to  keep  it  burning,  and"  to  give  my  companion  every 
aiftflance  in  my  power  to  execute  his  part,  which  was 

to 


*This  cavCj  into  which  we  entered,  for  the  reader's  better 
underftanding,  I  will  defcribe.  The  entrance  is  jufl,  wide  e- 
Jiough  to  admit  one  perfon  at  a  time,  gradually  defcending- 
a  few  feet,  arched  over  with  timber,  then  on  a  level  until  we 
come  to  the  turns,  then  through  to  the  next  as  above,  and  fo  on 
to  the  opening,  in  which  we  found  the  people — this  opening 
was  arched  at  it*  top  with  large  beams  of  cedar,  £c. 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RtTSOE  D  ERES.  53 

to  kill  all  we  fliould  find  within.  The  executioner  per 
formed  his  part,  by  killing  the  whole  with  his  toma 
hawk.  Thofe  perfons  appeared  quite  different  from 
any  I  had  ever  before  feen. 


The  adults  appeared  about  five  feet  high,  ve 
round  heads/fiat  nofes,  wide  mouths,  very  large  and 
white  teeth,  very  long,  ftrait  and  very  white  hair,  pale 
countenance,  having  no  occafion  to  ramble  abroad,  ex 
cept  to  hunt  for  food  and  bedding  ;  a  fmall  portion  of 
each  ferving  them  —  they  are  (Irangers  to  fire  and  cloth-  . 
ing,  living  a  moft  indolent  life.  We  found  no  kind  of 
tool  with  them,  excepting  one  made  fomething  like  a 
hatchet,  having  a  ftone  made  flat  at  one  end,  and  fat 
tened  into  a  flick  fplit  at  one  end.  The  bottom  of  the 
cavern  was  covered  over  with  fkins,  piled  up  one  on  a- 
nother,  to  a  confiderable  height,  confuting  of  Buffalo, 
Bear,  Fox  and  of  almoft  every  fpecies  of  animals, 
common  to  that  part  of  the  country.*  in  one  corner 
of  this  room,  we  found  a  quantity  of  meat,  ftinking 
horribly  ;  this,  appeared  to  be  their  only  food  j  howev 
er,  we  were  obliged  to  feed  on  fome  thro.ugh  neceffity* 
We.  carried  out  fome  of  the  beft  fur,  as  Beaver  and 

Raccoon, 


*  Their  manner  of  catching  their  game,  is  by  di'glng  pi*s  in 
the  ground,  flightly  covering  them  with  fome  fmall  twigs  cov 
ered  over  with  leaves,  into  which  the  animal  fail?,,  and  is.  eafiljr 
takes. 


54  M'EMOIRS    OF 

Raccoon,  and  at  the  mouth  of  the  cave*  loaded  onr^ 
felves  with  as  much  fpoil  as  we  could  ftand  under,  and 
as  expeditious  as  pofllble,  travelled  on  to  our  head 
quarters,  where  we.  found  our  feveral  companions,  who 
had  as  before  defcribed,  performed  their  feveral  routs ; 
they  were  fuccefsful,  and  joined  the  main  body,  loaded 
with  like  plunder.  Hereupon  a  general  fhout  took 
place  with  claping  of  hands,  <kc.  being  much  pleafed 
with  our  good  luck.  The  whole  company  freely  par 
took  of  fuch  fare,  as  our  friends  had  in  our  abfence 
(which  was  nine  days  from  the  time  of  our  departure) 
prepared"— the  whole  body,  each  one  taking  his  propor 
tional  foare  of  baggage,  began  cur-retreat  homewards. 

During  our  march  from  a  neighbouring  pond,  we 
heard  noifes,  as  of  many  water  fowls,  which  we  conclu 
ded  had  collected  in  the  pond.  We  were  much 
elated  at  this,  having  a  keen  appetite  for  fowl ; 
a  number  were  fent  off  to  fearch  the  pond,  myfelf  mak 
ing  one,  we  foon  reached  ix  ;  but  to  our  furprlze  found 
the  fowl  had  (confiding  in  their  trufty  wings)  left  the 
vrater — cafting  our  eyes  over  the  pond,  we  discovered 
a  very  large  white  Bear  diving  frequently,  as  if  for  fifh— 
he  at  length  fixed  himfelf  on  a  large  fiat  rock  on  one 
fide,  looking  into  the  water,  ftriking  his  fore  paw,  as 
though  catching  fi{h,  at  every  ftroke  lifting  up  his 
paw,  as  if  to  fee  its  contents — I  being  eager,  fired  from 
the  fhore  at  the  Bear,  but  without  effect ;  iny  ball  as  I 

could 


fcHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOE  D  ERES*  55 

could  plainly  fe«  ftruck  his  fide,  his  hair  being  very 
thick  and  long,  prevented  my  killing  him  ;  on  which, 
an  experienced  gunner  fteped  up,  obferving  his  raifed 
paw,  aimed  at  the  fpaee  between  the  under  fide  of  the 
paw  and  body,  &ot  and  killed  him  inftantly.  This  was 
a  lucky  event ;  we  foon  drew  him  from  the  water-* 
which  in  fome  mcafure  made  up  for  our  difappoint> 
ment  in  the  water  fowls.  We  drefled  our  game,  and 
with  it  joined  our  brethren,  the  main  body,  and  foon 
renewed  our  inarch  homewards,  which  we  in  three 
weeks  performed. 

After  making  an  equal  diftribution  of  plunder,  each 
one  retired  to  his  home  and  employment.  Our  great 
tnen  now  began  to  think  it  high  time  to  honor  me  with 
the  Infignia  of  their  tribe,  and  to  give  me  a  new  and  ma- 
jeftic  name,  having  in  many  excurfions  witneiTed  my 
valor.  I  dreaded  the  operation  ;  however,  was  obli 
ged  to  fubmit. 

The  mark  by  which  the  Tribe  I  belonged  to  was, 
diftinguifhed  from  all  others,  was  that  of  the  fun  on  th<* 
infide  of  the  right  leg,  and  of  the  moon  and  feven  ftars  en 
the  outfido  of  the  fame  leg.  This  was  performed  on 
me  by  pricking  with  a  fharp  needle  into  my  right  leg, 
the  various  prefcribed  forms,  in  red  and  blue  colours. 
Having  marked  my  leg,  they  proceeded  to  mark  my 
face,  which  I  much  oppofed,  determined  not  to  con* 

(ant— 


^  MEMOIRS    OF 

fent—I  therefore  ftrugglecL  and  endeavored  to  efeape 
by  biting,  kicking,  &c ;  they  however  went  on  and 
Jlightly  marked  my  face — they  proceeded  to  pluck  my 
hair  from  my  head,  excepting  a  frriall  part  on  the  back 
the  bignefs  of  my  hand^—they  proceeded  to  drefs 
me  ;  at  this  I  made  no  further  cppofit'Qn,  not  willing 
to  lofe  the  good  opinion  my  friends  had  formed  of  me, 
which  by  this  time,  became  of  no  fmall  confequence  to 
me.  They  painted  my  head  in  chequers  of  different 
colours  ;  then  fixed  a  gold  ring  in  my  nofe,  filver  drops 
to  my  ears  ;  then  fattened  a  ftrap  to  my  lock  of  hair 
behind,  which  reached  to  the  ground,  filled  with  broach 
es  from  top  to  bottom  ;  then  tied  a  ftring  of  beads  of 
various  colours  round  my  neck,  interfpcrfed  with  differ- 
en£  coloured  feathers,  all  fixed  into  a  leather  collar  of 
carious  workmanfhip  ;  a  leather  flrap  ornamented  as 
above  was  thrown  over  my  fhoulders,  at  each  end  were 
fixed  t\vo  filver  plates  with  engravings  ;  on  one,  the 
form  of  a  Buffalo,  on  the  other,  that  of  a  Panther ;  to 
this  they  added  the  bed  blanket  the  Tribe  poffeffed, 
ornamented  with  five  hundred  broaches ;  my  fliirt  a 
gay  calico  ;  my  bufkins  red,  moggafons  yellow,  orna 
mented  with  beads  and  feathers  of  many  colours,  tied 
together  with  party  coloured  ribbands,  two  Peacock 
feathers  fluck  into  my  lock  of  hair,  completed  my  drefs 
— then  proceeded  the  formality  of  giving  me  fome 
great  name  ;  the  greateft  and  moft  learned  were  con- 
fultedon  this  occaHon,  After  a  long  confultaticn, 

'twas 


-CKA'RLfcS  DENNIS 

agreed  on,  and  a  Chief  whofe  office  It  was,  ftep. 
up  to  me,  and  in   a  loud  voice  proclaimed  my 
name,   Roooftontce  Cowawoo.* 


After  this  ceremony  clofed,  I  retired  to  my 
and  with  my  apprentice,  carried  on  my  bufmefs  ;  the 
IiwKans  frequenting  it  as  u£ial  ;  at  all  times  cormng 
<in,  and  with  ^deference  and  refpeft,  approached  me, 
^knowing  my  important  ftation.  Thus  inverted  with 
•the  higheft  honor,  they  -could  confer  on  me,  >I  reaKfed 
'jny  importance  and  power,  and  foon  began  a  reform 
among  them  —  all  my  inftru&ions  were  attentively  o- 
^beyed.  In  this  way  I  went  en  for  ibme  length  of  ti*Re  ; 
Teceiring  and  making  congratulatory  vifits  from,  -aod 
tto  my  neighbours. 

-"Some  time  after,  one  of  my  TarniKar  acquilntancc 
'propofcd  a  iliort  hunt  for  fmall  game.  I  readily  con* 
'fente-d,  andtwe  two  fct  off^  "prepared  with  traps>  gun? 
and  ammunition, 


After  travelling  five  days,  we  came  to  an 
plain,  totally  diverted  of  any  kind  of  vegetable,  and 
•nothing  but  (and,  dry  and  light  ;  which  on  a  gentle 
"breeze  of  wind  is  put  in  motion—  fometimes  the  wind 
when  railed  to  a  high  degree,  and  blowing  one  way  for 

any 

*  Signifying  g»£tf,  »ajc{lic4   acquired  by  great  and  war« 
15'kt  deed*,  &ck 


MEMOIRS    O* 

•any  conftdera^le  time,  puts  the  iand  into  a  quick  and 
violent  motion,  and  rolls  it  up  into  the  appearance  of 
^'aves»forming  deep  troughs  between  each  roll  or  wave-j 
whenever  this  happens,  no  one  can  pafs  over  this  track- 
4efs  wafte.  Soon  after  our  coming  to  this  place,  fud- 
«denly  a  ftrotig  -wind  from  the  north  arofe,  and  formed 
the  furface  of  this  plain,  into  the  appearance-  as  juft  re 
lated*  Near  by  we  were  obliged  to  camp,  and  tarried 
four  days,  until  the  ftorm  abated.  Our  tarry  here,  -was 
attended  .  with  difficulty,  not  having  a  fufficiency  of 
food,  and  no  opportunity  of  fupply  prefented,  we  were 
reduced  to  the  laft  morfei,  :In  our  feeble  ftate,  (a  calm 
Ceafon,)  we  attempted  to  crofs  over  this,  apparently,  im- 
jpaflkbJe  heath*  On  out  way  we  found  tv/o  human  bo- 
dies  almoil  petrified  by  the  heat  of  the  fun,  and  warm 
•fand,  which  through  the  whole,  retained  fuch  a  degree 
.-of  heat  as  to  bMer  our  feet* 


During  our  encampment  and  travel  over  tKe 
our  guides  (which  were  the  fun  by  day,  'and  moon  and 
liars  by  night)forfook  us,  being  cloudy  the  whole  time. 
On  examining  our  ftores,  we  found  but  one  pound 
of  fmoaked  Buffalo  'for  Xis  both.  We  inarched  on 
northerly,  towards  our  village;  having  the  fun 
for  our  gaide,  (It  no^  jleafantly  appearing.) 


After  four  days  tra^l  from  the  fandy  we  came  to  a 
cious  meadow  i  here  I  failed  for  want  of  food,  fat 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOE  D*ERE9^  Kg 

down,,  and  expefted  here  to  end  my  days +  but  mj 
companion  kept  up  his  courage,  and  travelling  a  fmall 
difomee  from  me,  efpied  a  Deer  laying  down  behind  a>  ^ 
wind&ll— -he  ran  back  to  me,  and  told  me  he  had  found 
good  meat.  He  foon  killed  the  Deer,  and  opening 
his  body,  devoured  in  a  naked  Hate  the  entrails  ;  this  I 
could  not  partake  of.  My  friend  chopped  up  feme 
meat  and  made  broth,  which  I  greedily  fwallowed, 
which  was  the  moft  delicious  morfel  I  ever  tafted,  hav~. 
ing  for  fomc  days  before  received  no  kind  of  nouriib- 
ment,  except  our  leather  belts  cut  up  and  foaked  ia. 
water. 

One  night,  foon  after  laying  down  to  fleep,  we  were 
roufed  with  a  heavy  fhower  of  rain,  attended  with  tre-, 
mendous  thunder  and  fharp  lightning. — this  further  en 
feebled  me,  having  nothing  to  fcreen  me  from  the  wea 
ther.  In  this  feeble  ftate  I  continued  fome  days—ray 
companion  fixed  his  traps  in  different  parts  of  the  mea* 
dow,  baited  with  flefn  we  had  cut  and  prepared  from 
the  dead  bodies  we  found  in  the  fand — he  caught  many 
Beaver,  &c.  During  our  tarry  here,  the  weather  pro 
ved  rainy  and  the  fun  beclouded,  fo  that,  we  could  not 
leave  the  fwamp,  not  knowing  which  way  to  ftcsr, 

'  :fore  fun  fet,  we  happily  discovered 
.his  difmal  fwamp,  by  the  'fun*     Ws 
ovsd  this  opportunity  for  efcape  by 
bundling 


60  MEMOIRS    Of 

bundling  up  our  fWrs,  &c  ;  and  by  the  help  of  "the  moon 
decamped,  fleering  a  north  courfe,  and  by  morning  hap*, 
pily  found  our&lves.  quite  oat  of  the  meadow*wwe 
then  lay  down  and  flcpt  foundry  until  noon*— e^t  hear 
tily  of  the  venifen  my  friend  killed  in  the  fwamp,  fome 
part -we  fmoaked  ;  here  we  tarried  until  the  next  day,  irt, 
order  to  recruit  aud  reft  our  weary  limbs..  On  our  way 
home>each  night  we  prspared'and'.fet  traps  forFox,Sable,v 
Beaver  and  Mink  ;  each  morning  we  found  that  our 
traps  caught  more  or  lefs,  fo  that  before  \ve  came  to 
•our  homes  we  colle&ed  a  very  largs  quantity,  info- 
much,  that  our  bundles  were  teo  heavy  for  us  to  carry... 
We  travelled"  OB,  and  in  a.  few  days  after  came  fafelf 
to  our  frieads  ;  from  whom  we  met- a  hearty  welcome,, 
which  was  fhown  by  claping  of- hands,  whooping  and:.. 
dancing  round  us* 

Soon  after  my-  return,  I  was  feized  with  a  violent 
fiver*  of  the  pleuretic  kind,  which  continued  for  a  long 
time,  and  ended  in  a  long  intermitting  fever.  Here  I 
realifed  the  comforts  of  the  clo&  attention  of  a  friend, 
who  ftuck  by  me  clofer  than  a  brother;  I  mean  the 
aid  of  my  adopted  mother,  the  Indian  fquaw  before 
mentioned.  She  never  left  me,  day  nor  night,  during 

my 

•This  fwamp  or   meadow,  was  of  forty  mile*  extent,  an^' 
nearly Tquare,  covered  with  flaggs  and  r-afhes  to- 
T--near  the  center,   I  lay  in  ray  feeble  (bte.. 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSO>£   l)'i-:R£S.  €i 

jny  illnsfs,.  which  continued'  five  months—  her  irk-ndly 
hand  adminiitered  fuitable  anodynes,  prepared  from 
fuitable  herbs  and  roots,  fpontaneoufly  growing  in 
tliat  country.  She  frequently  would  call  in  the  neigh 
bouring  aged,  and  moPt  experienced  fquaws,*  and'  with 
them,  confult  the  bell  means  of  application,  and  how 
ever  difficult  to  recover,  fpared  no  colt  nor  pains,  to 
obtain  and  prepare  them  for  my  ufe.  In  this  ikknefs,' 
I  was  reduced  very  low,  laying  in  bedj  fo  long  as  to 
rob  my  buck  and'  fides  of  their  natural  covering,  my 
ikm  ;  all  which,  my  faithful  nurfe  replaced  by  exter 
nal  applications^ 

After  my  long  and  tedious  confinement,  I  too  foon 
went  abroad  —  my  bufmefs  urged'  me  to  work  ;  I'  being 
the  only  blackfmith-in  our  Tribe,  too  refolutely  began 
to  work,  and'  thereby  brought  on  a  relapfe,  whicli  a- 
gain  confined  me  to  my  wigwam>  and  a  long,  feeble- 
ftate-  of  health  enfuecl  —  I  again-  had  rccourfe  to  my 
nurfe  and  doctor,  my  mother;  (lie  attentively  conlldfered1 
my  cafe,  pronounced  it  defperate,  pait  recover}-,  unlefs 
preventtd  by  my  fteady  adherence  to  her  prefcriptionsj 
I  promifed  ftriftly  to  obey,  and  cheerfully  gave  myfelt 
into  her  hands  —  fhe  undertook  my  cure,  and  foon  check 

ed 

'The  fquawswith  them^  arc  their  Turgeon*  and  phyflcians. 


t  My  be«?  was  made  of  the  fi^in^orBufTalo  and 
4  httie  from  the  ground 

F2 


62  MEMOIRS   OF 

cd  my  diforder,  by  giving  me  Buffalo's  blood  to 
lukewarm — I  drank  more  or  lefs  every  day,  until   my 
complaints  were  no  more* 

My  ftrength  gradually*  increafmg  with  my  return 
ing  health,  I  foon  recovered ;  but  before  I  entered  oir 
fliop  bufmefs,  I  vifited  our  chiefs,  with  a  vie-w  to  carry 
on  my  propofed  plan  of  reform  among  them  j  fetting, 
forth  the  advantage,  that  the  more  civilized  part  of 
mankind  enjoyed  than  they  in  their  rude  and  uncul 
tivated  ftate.  I  began  by  informing  them  of  the  man- 
ner  of  my  father's  particular  mode  of  family  govern 
ment,  of  conducing  his  domeflic  bufmefs,  &c.  &c  ;  to 
all  which,  they  gave  attention,  and  anfwered,  by  firft 
fhaking  their  heads  in  difapprobation  of  my  plan,  then 
fneeringly  would  fay,  you  tell  a  pretty  good  ftory,  but 
ours  is  much  better  than  yours,  our  nation  greater  and 
more  ancient  than  yours — we  live  great  while  in  the 
world, and  know  much  more  than  your  nation;  our  ways 
are  preferable  to  yours,  we  will  be  Indian.  I  found  my 
attempts  were  fruitlefs,  therefore  for  the  prefent  dropt 
my  plan,  intending  at  fome  future  time  to  purfue  it,  if 
a  convenient  opportunity  Ihould  offer. 

In  a  few  days  I  went   on  with  my   bnfmefs  in  my 
fliop,  my  boy  continuing  with  me,  who  by  this  tims 
beeame-.very  helpful,  having  acquired  a  considerable 
infight  into  the  bufmds,  which  daily  iucreafing,  afford 
ed 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUS.OE  D'ERES.     63 

ed  me  much  comfort  and  profit — our  Indians  conftantly 
employing  me  in  making  their  tomahawk*,  fcalping 
knives,  and  traps ;  mending  guns,  and  ibmetimes  mak 
ing  new  gun-locks ;  all  which,  they  were  obliged  to 
go  to  Tartarrac  for,  previous  to  my  coming  among 
them. 

On  delivering  my  work,  I  received  my  price  in 
furs,  ginfang,  £c ;  carefully  ftoring  them  until  an 
opportunity  prefented  to  traffick  at  Tartarrac.  My 
employers  would  frequently  make  me  large  prefents 
in  addition  to  the  ftipulated  price  for  my  work — the 
fquaws  in  particular,  would  make  me  many  and  vaU 
uable  ones,  confifting  of  fap-fugar,  annually  made  in 
February.  Of  this  fugar,  I  could  collect  on  any  fud- 
den  emergency,  large  quantities.  The  fquaws  would 
enter  my  fhop  with  the  fugar  wrapped  up  in  the  fore 
part  of  their  blankets ;  on  their  coming  near,  they 
would  drop  a  low  courtefy,  faying,  Rooodontee,  me  give 
you  good  fugar  j  I  with  a  nod  of  my  head,  thanked 
them,  pointing  to  a  large  cabin  in  one  corner  of  my 
fhop,  bid  them  throw  it  up  there,  which  they  cheerful 
ly  did  ;  turning  to  go  out,  they  would  drop  a  courtefy 
and  go  off. 

I  fteadily  purfued  my  work,  not  without  frequent 
Tifits  from  young  Indians,  my  intimates.  One  day  a 
number  gathered,  and  began  to  banter  one  another, 

and 


$  MEMOIRS    OT 

and  braging  of  their  fuperior  abilities  in  jumping-,  wreff-- 
ling,  &e  ;  one  in  particular  offered  to  bet  fifty  broaches 
againft  an  equal  number,  that  he  could  jump  higher 
than  any  one  prefent — upon  this  an  intimate  of  mine 
took  hiril  up  and  proposed  that  I  ftiould  jump  with  him  > 
we  jumped  one  after  the  other  ;  all  agreed- to  decide. 
the  wager  in  my  favour.  Upon  examining  my  ant  ago* 
ftift,,  I  found  that  he  had  no-  broaches  with  him  j  I  re- 
fented  hi*  conduct  and  told  him  he  was  a  rogue  in. 
bantering  the  company,  without  having  it  in  his  power-. 
to  pay  his  bet  ;  he  promifed  to  pay  me  fooii,  but 
neglected* 

One  day  he  came  into  my  fliop  with  a  good  blan 
ket  loaded  with  broaches,  I  catched  his  blanket  from> 
his  back  and  tore  off  fifty  broaches,  and  threw  Kis  blan 
ket  under  my  bellows  ;  he  crawled  under  them  for  his 
blanket,  expofing  kis  pofleriors  j  I  fnatched  my  rod- 
from  the  fire,  and  whipped  him  fo  as  to  blifter  his  back 
fides,  he  yelled  heartily,  ran  to  the  rirer  and  plunged 
in  ;  this  brought  a  number  round  me,  haftily  enquiring 
the  caufe  of  fo  much  noife  j.  I  told  them  my  flbry>  they- 
all  juftified  me,  and  fo  the  matter  blew  over. 

Some  time  after  an  Indian  came  to  my  fliop,  and 
afked  me  to  go  with  him  to  a  neighbour's  wigwam  ? 
I  afked  for  what  purpofe  ?  he  informed  me  that  an  In-' 
dian  lately  returned  from  Tartarrac  had  brought  rum, 

and 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOX  D'zRES.  65 

P 

and  kept  drunk  for  fome  time  ;  that  his  fquaw  could 
not  find  his  rum.  1  went  wiflli  my  friend  to  the  tipler's 
wigwam,  and  we  found  him  almoft  in  a  lifelels  ftate,  . 
We  fearched  every  place,  likely  for  him  to  fecreet  his 
rum,  but  to  no  purpofe  -9  but  as  wa  came  from  the  wig 
wam,  we  found  two  flurgeon  fifh,  which  my  friend 
attentively  viewing,  fuppofed  the  rum  might  be  con 
cealed  within  them  —  he  ripped  open  the  fifh,  and  in 
each  he  found  a  bottle  of  rum,  artfully  concealed  ;,- 
this  we  foon  deftroyed,  and  left  the  \vig\varn  and  the. 
drunkard  —  returned  to  my  fhop  and  went  on  as  ufual  ;, 
I  and  my  boy  turning  off  work  to  advantage. 

Soon  after,  as  I  and  my  boy  lay.  in  found  fleep  at 
midnight,  I  was  roufed  by  a  heavy  voice  from  without,. 
calling  me  by  name>  demanding  entrance  2  I  knew 
his  voice,*  and  refufed  to  let  him  in  ;  he  perflfled,  and 
faid  he  would  come  in,  faying,  I  want  to  fpeak  with 
you  very  much  ;  I  &d  him  go  home  and  come  in  the 
morning  ;  lie  made  every  effort  to  force  open  my  door,, 
but  not  fuccecding,  he  came  to  the  window,  and  forced 
the  fhutter  open,  difcharged  his  gun  upon  me—  the  ball 
entered  the  iide  of  my  £bop  about  Sx  inches  from  my 
foead,  as  I  lay  on  my  bed.  This  roofed  me,  and  fpringing^v 
up,  I  caught  my  gun  which  flood  near  me  loaded  with 
(as  was  my  practice  always  to  keep  my  gun.  cea* 


*  The 


65  MEMOIRS    OF 

me  at  night,  to  defend  myfelf  againft  every  intruder,) 
ftepped  up  to  the  windoW  and  (hot 'him,  who  drop* 
and  died  inftantly. 

The  firing  of  two  guns  in  the  dead  of  night,  caufed  a 
general  alarm  through  the  village.  A  large  number 
foon  collected,  and  underftanding  the  ca'ufe,  took 
and  put  me  under  keepers,  to  be  brought  forth  in  the 
morning  for  trial.  I  contentedly  fubmitted,  knowing 
my  caufe  to  be  good,  having  acted  on  the  defenfive 
only. 

In  the  morning  I  was  conduced  to  the  place  of 
trial,  which  was  in  the  open  air,  and  at  a  fmall  diftance 
from  my  Ihop.  On  my  coming  near  to  the  council  of 
trial,  a  thought  ftruck  my  mind,  that  if  the  trial  fhould 
go.  againft  me,  I  fhould  be  tortured  in  a  favage-like 
manner ;  determining  to  die  on  the  fpot,  rather  than 
fabmit  to  their  tortures,  which  I-  had  frequently  before 
feen  on  their  enemies.  I  afked  liberty  to  return  to  my 
dwelling,  to  adjuft  fome  affairs  there — I  gave  my  word 
foon  to  return,  which  they  (knowing  my  exalted  fta« 
tion  and  importance  with  them,)  without  hefitation 
granted.  I  returned  to  my  fhcp,  and  armed  myfelf 
\vith  two  piftols  and  a  trufty  knife ;  concealing  them 
under  my  blanket.  Thus  prepared  for  every  event,  I 
returned  to  the  court,  who  were  formed  in  the  folio* 
ing  manner  :  on  a  block  of  wood  fixed  one  end  in  tl 

ground} 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOE  D*ERES.  6? 

ground,  about  fix  feet  from  its  furface,  fat  the  chief 
juftice ;  and  at  his  feet  on  a  fmall  block,  fat  the  crimin 
al ;  on  the  right  and  left  from  the  chief  juftice,  fat  a 
number  of  the  chiefs  of  the  Tribe*  in  a  circular  form  ; 
all  fitting  crofslegged.  The  court  being  thus  feated,  a 
profound  filence  en&cd,  which  Continued  for  two  hours 
— they  all  fat  flaring  on  one  another,  as  if  at  a  lofs  Jn 
"what  manner  to  proceed — at  length  the  caufe  came  on, 
*he  aecufer*  ftept  forward,  and  affirmed  that  I  had 
wantonly  killed  his  frknd  by  (hooting  him,  who  was  in 
the  lawful  purfuit  of  his  bufmefs.  That  I  killed  him,  I 
.did  not  pretend  to  deny ;  but  affirmed  that  I  killed 
him  in  my  own  defence ;  that  he  came  to  iny  (hop  at 
an  un.feafpnable  time  of  the  night,  and  that  with  an  in 
tention  to  kill  me,  as  I  could  plentifully  prove — upon 
this,  I  begged  leave  to  call  forward  the  deceafed's 
fquaw,  and  the  perfon  prefent  at  finding  the  rum  as  be 
fore  related — -this  was  granted ;  the  witnefles  came  for 
ward.  The  fquaw  affirmed  that  her  fanop,  on  coining 
out  of  his  drunken  fit,  fought  for  his  rum,  but  could 
not  find  it;  that  on  this  he  appeared  much  incenfed, 
enquired  of  her,  who  had  got  his  rum  ;  fiie  informed 
him  that  Roocftontee  and  his  friend  had  deftroyed  it  5 
lie  raved  round  the  wigwam  and  fwore  revenge,  by 
killing  Roooflontee  ;  and  that  he  on  the  night  in  which 
he  was  killed,  left  his  home,  having  loaded  his  gun 

fa- 

*  Tbc  deccafed'*  brother, 


68  MEMOIRS    OF 

for  the  purpofe  of  killing  me.  My  friend  afTerted  that 
he  with  me  deflroyed  the  deceafed's  rum  ;*  and  that 
the  flam  had  frequently,  after  the  rum  frolick,  fwore 
revenge  on  me  ;  which  he  (the  witnefs)  fooner  or  la 
ter,  expected  would  be  put  in  practice,  as  the  Indians 
never  pafs  over  an  affront  with  impunity. 

The  judge  liftened  to  the  charge  againft  me,  anJ 
the  evidence  produced  to  fubftantiate  my  defence,  ap» 
peared  ripe  to  pronounce  for  or  agamft 


It  is  impofiible  for  the  reader  to  realife  my  ftelings, 
at  this  moft  critical  and  important  moment—  before  the 
tribunal  of  a  favage,  affifted  by  favage  council  only, 
whofe  friendfliip  at  beft  is  but  momentary.  Oh! 
thought  I  ;  if  my  tender  and  affectionate  father  coulcl 
but  view  me  in  my  prefent  condition  ;  how  would  his 
parental  bowels  move  for  me  ?  on  h's  knees,  with  up 
lifted  hands,  xvould  he  plead,  Oh  !  fpare  my  darling 
fon  once  more  ;  fct  him  at  liberty—  I  know  his  inno 
cence  —  -let  me  once  more  embrace  him,  who  was  torn 
from  my  arms,  doomed  to  bondage,  and  unjuftly  faf- 
fcred  already  too  much,  but  for  favage  nature  to  in 
jure  —  come  ye  who  are  fathers,  liberate  him,  and  view 
the  parental  embrace,  not  to  be  realifed,  but  by  parents 

on 

•  Which  WM  done  agreeably  to  a  lav,  ia  that  cafe  made 
and  provided* 


CHARLES  0-ENNIS  RUSOE  D'fiRES,  69 

oa  fimilar  occafions.  All  this,  and  much  more  might 
•have  been  uttered,  had  my  father  been  prefent ;  but 
alas  5  he  Is  at  too  great  a  diflance  even  to  hear  my 
cry. 

Such  thoughts  as  I  have  juft  related,  {truck  me  with 
folemn  awe ;  with  trembling  heart  I  wifhed  for,  but 
dreaded  to  hear  the  fentence  pronounced  from  the  jud 
ge's  lips.  The  judge  held  in  his  left  hand  a  long  (lick, 
'his  right  hand  grafped  the  dreaded  knife.  He  with 
majeftic  look,  turned  to  the  circled  chiefs,  and  ordered 
them,  one  at  a  time,  to  give  their  opinions  for,  or  a- 
gainft  the  prifoner  as  he  fhould  direft.  Thofe  in  fa 
vour,  and  willing  to  acquit  him,  fhould  declare  by  lift 
ing  up  their  right  hands — -the  dreaded  moment  came, 
and  they  one  at  a  time  raifed  their  right  hands ;  the 
judge  carefully  cut  a  notch  on  the  right  fide  of  his  flick, 
for  every  one  In  favour  ;  on  the  left  fide  he  cut  one 
notch  for  every  up  lifted  hand  againft  me.  This  hav 
ing  been  attended  to,  the  judge  counted  the  favourable 
notches,  and  the  unfavourable  ones,  and  found  the  whole 
number  (excepting  two)  were  for  fetting  me  at  liberty, 
and  flrongly  reco'mrnended  me  to  the  good  \vill  of  my 
ftilow  villagers. 

This  joyful  event  was  publicly  notified,  and  the  na 
tional  pipe  brought  forward  and  placed  "on  the  block, 
on  which  I  fat  when 'On  trial  j  to  which  the   whole  vil» 
aflembled  and  finoked  in  token  of  approbating  the 

conduct  V 

a 


?6  MEMOIRS    O-? 

conduct  of  the  judge  in  fetting  rne  at  liberty ;  and  m 
token  of  receiving  me  to  their  former  favGU~  ind  goo3 
will;  no  one  (excepting  thofe  two  who  'hauu  ,oted  a- 
gainft  me)  refufed  to  fmoke  at  the  great  pipe.  Thus 
the  matter  ended,  and  I  went  muchpleafed  to  rny  ufual 
employment, 

I  worked  in  my  ihop  daily,  but  not  without  fear 
from  thofe  who  appeared  againft  me  on  trial,  knowing 
an  Indian's  temper — they  never  forget  a  feeming  inju 
ry  ;  and  knowing  that  thofe  two  were  nearly  related 
4o  the  deceafed — I  therefore,  always  went  armed,  ex- 
Ceding  fome  fecret  revenge  would  foon  take  place. 
However,  my  having  gained  the  good  will  of  our 
chiefs,  by  my  heroic  deeds  on  many  former  occafions  ? 
and  my  conducl  in  defending  myfelf,  when  afiaulted  by 
roy  adverfary,  and  manfully  killing  him,  ferved  to  keep 
Up  my  fpirits  tolerably  well.  But  time,  that  great  de- 
v®urer  of  pad  evils,  however  ftrongly  imprefled  on  the 
iriind>  conctirred  in  lulling  me  into  too  great  a  degree  of 
fecurity,  expe&ing  my  enemies  would  forget,  and  pafs 
over  the  fuppofed  injuries  done  them  ;  but  in  this  I  was 
miilaken,  as  by  the  fequel  will  appear. 

Some  time  after  having  occafion  to  fet  and  burn  a 
kiln   of  char-coal,   at  fome  a!ftaiice   from  my  home ': 
one  night  as  I  was  tending  my   coal    without  any  pp 
Ton  with  me,   (having  fent  my  .boy  home  to  4 

r 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOE  D  ERES.       ft 

reft)  never  leaving  it  myfelf  day  nor  night,  until  fully- 
burnt—  "'  ?  one  from  the  neighbouring  buihes,  fired 
upon  me,  the  ball  entered  my  left  thigh  juft  below  my 
hip  bone  ;  I  fell  immediately^  and  lay  bleeding  on  the: 
ground,  unable  to  help  myfelf — I  made  feveral  attempts 
to  rife,  but  in  vain-— hallowed  for  help  for  a  long  time  ; 
at  length  a  triend  hearing  my  voice,  came  to  me,  and 
by  his  friendly  aid,  fupporting  me  in  his  arms,  I  fafely 
returned  to  my  dwelling.* 

On  my  return,  my  old  doclor  fearched  the  wound, 
found  that  the  bail  was  in  my  thigh,  but  could  not  ex 
tract  it ;  fhe  applied  fome  mollient  platters,  which  in 
ibme  meafure  eafcd  my  pain.  After  laying  four  days, 
flie  delivered  me  of  the  ball,  by  fqueezing  the  wound, 
which  by  this  time  had  fettered. 

I  was  under  the  doctor's  hands  twenty  days  before 
I  was  able  to  walk  with  crutches.  My  lamenefs  con 
tinued  five  months.  The  fear  made  by  this  iliot}  is  vi-. 
iible  to  this  d ay. 

'Having  in  a  good  meafure  recovered,  I  refumed  my 
former  bufmefs  ;  my  cuftomers  calling  cveiy  dx?  for 

my 

*  The  Indian  who  (hot  at  roe,  I  afterwards  learnt  was 
one  who  on  my  trial  voted  againft  me ;  he  immediately  ab- 
f<  ended,  and  I  never  faw  him  after. 


72  MEMOIRS    OP 

my  work,  having  been  for  feme  time  in  want,  occafion- 
ed  by  my  long  confinement. 

Nothing  material  turned  up  for,  or  agamfl  me  for  one- 
year  after.  At  length,  wanting  coal,  I  erected  a  new- 
kiln,  and  in  fcraping  up  the  leaves  and  dry  duft  with 
my  hands  to  cover  it  over,  I  roufed  a  Rattle  Snake; 
who  in  his  anger  bit  my  hand ;  at  this  I  was  much 
troubled,  fuppoling  the  bite  would  prove  fatal,  but  in- 
this  was  plcafmgly  difappointed  by  an  effectual  cure 
wrought  by  a  fkilful  furgeon,  who  fcon  came-  to  my 
help,  feveral  of  my  neighbours  accompanied  her,  who- 
immediately  wound  a  ftrong  cord*  round  my  arm  be 
low  my  elbow,  binding  it  fo  tight  as  to  prevent  the  cir 
culation  of  blood  below  the  cord  ;  this  done,  ilie  with  a> 
flint  fcarified  my  hand,  eroding  the  wound  in  different 
angles  ;  fhe  then  with  fait  in  her  mouth  fucked  the  poi- 
fon  from  the  wound,  on  which  (he  (hewed,  fome  fait ; 
this  was  repeated  feveral  times  without  loofening  the  cord 
until  the  next  day  ;  when  the  cord  is  taken  off,  the  fwel- 
ling  fubfides,  a  cure  is  effected,  and  my  arm,  which, 
during  the  operation  was  numb  and  ufelefs,  immedi 
ately  recovered  its  wonted  vigor.  Several  times  after  I 
was  bitten  by  Rattle  Snakes ;  like  applications  were 
made,  which  effected  like  cures. 

Notwith- 


*  Made  from  ihe  finews  of  wild  animals 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOE  D'£RES.     7$ 

Notwithftanding  I  liad  got  rid -of  one  ef  my  mor 
tal  enemies,  one  (till  remained  equally  revengeful. 
This  brought  me  to  a  difagreeable  ihuation,  being  al 
ways  obliged  to  carry  defenfive  weapons  about  me 
wherever  I  went,  and  never  wifliing  to  mingle  with  my 
comrades  in  their  diverfions — before  this,  I  ever  was 
one  of  the  foremoft  in  all  our  amufemeats. 

In  this  troubled  (late  I  remained  for  fome  time,  un 
willing  to  unburden  mrfelf  to  any  one  ;  at  length  one 
of  my  mod  intimate  friends  being  in  my  fhop,  having  for 
fome  time  obferved  my  dejefted  countenance  and  refer- 
ved  behaviour,  anxioufly  enquired  the  caufe  ;  I  taking 
him  to  be  one  of  my  mod  confidential  friends,  told  him 
the  real  caufe.  He  was.  much  touched  with  my  rela 
tion,  but  bid  me  to  keep  up  a  good  heart ;  that  1  was 
among  my  friends,  who  would  defend  me  at  all  haz 
ards.  I  told  him  I  did  not  doubt  of  the  good  will  o£ 
my  neighbours,  and  added  that  if  ever  I  iliould  fall  by 
my  enemy's  arm,  it  would  be  in  a  fly,  fecret  manner — 
he  would  take  the  advantage  of  me  by  waylaying  my 
walks  in  the  night,  or  when  detained  from  home,  as 
was  the  cafe  when  wounded  by  my  former  fue — to 
this  my  friend  obferved  that  this  might  happen,  but  he 
hoped'not.  He  propofed,  that  if  the  hatred  continued, 
I  fliould  leave  this  Tribe  for  two  or  three  yeans,  join 
fome  other  Tribe,  and  there  carry  on.  my  bufmefs,  by 
that  time  he  hoped  my  adverfary  would  be  dead,  or 
forget  the  injury. 

1  tl 
G2 


±  MEMOIRS    OF 

I  thought  much  of  this  advice,  and  conM  it  over 
frequently  in  my  mind,  not  knowing  how  to  commu 
nicate  it  to  others  ;  for  to  put  the  plan  into  practice,  I 
inu ft  confult  all  our  chiefs,  or  not  obtain  their  confent  ; 
without  it  I  could  not  depait,  nor  pafs  any  Tribe  to  a 
more  diflant  one,  without  firft  procuring  my  pafs  and 
recommendation  from  the  Tribe  to  whom  I  belonged, 
and  ib  on  from  Tribe  to  Tribe,  until  I  fhould  find  fome 
one  Tribe  who  would  give  me  proper  encouragement 
to  tarry  with  them. 

A  ray  of  hope  now  Hufhed  my  mind,  that  I  might 

oru~e  more  vifit  and    enjoy  my  friends   in   my  native 

',  ounrry ;   I  therefore  determined  to  alk  leave  of  abfence 

e  years  to   vifit  my  friends,   expecting  that  the 

is  would  as  readily  grant  me  liberty  'to  return  to 
my  friends,  as  to  join  fome  other  diftant  Tribe  of  In- 
d:ans.  Flufhed  with  this  idea,  I  communicated  my 
willies  to  fome  chofen  friends,  they  in  my  name  went 
to  the  refpeclive  chiefs,  who  fummoned  a  general  coun- 
e:il  on  theuoccafion.  After  a  lengthy  debate,  I  obtained 
free  liberty  to  be  abfent  for  three  years  to  vifit  my 
friends,  on  my  promife  to  return  to  them  at  the  expira 
tion  of  the  term,  (extraordinaries  excepted)  allowing 

four  young  men  to  attend  me  to  the  next  Tribe. 

Having  prepared  myfelf  by  drefTir.g   in  my  bcft  at- 
;  equiped  with   the    bed  gun   I  ihould  choof?,  and 

every 


CHARLES  DENNIS.  RUSOE  D*ERES* 


every  other  necetfary,  I  took  my  leave  of  my  friends, 
not  without  great  regret,  apparent  on  both  fides — ma^ 
ny  of  my  friends  collected  to  bid  the  friendly  adieu  ; 
here  I  could  not  refrain  fliedding  tears,  efpecially  or., 
leaving  my  trufty  boy,  who  clung  around  me,  begging 
that  he  might  go  with  me  ;  but  our  chiefs  would  not 
confent,  expecting  he  might  be  of  fervice  to  them 
in  my  abfence,  as  he  had  now  become  a  confiderable 
workman. 

With  my  waiters  I  departed  in  my  canoe,  fteering 
for  the  main,  which  I  foon  recovered,  and  with  our 
canoe,  &c.  we  directed  our  courfe  through  the  woods 
to  the  nearefl  water,  as  there  is  no  travelling  a  gre  at 
way  through  this  country  without  canoes,  by  reafon  of 
the  many  lakes  and  rivers. 

After  thus  travelling  fifteen  days,  we  arrived  on 
the  borders  of  the  next  Tribe ;  here  I  made  a  nalt, 
and  fent  tv/o  of  my  waiters  into  their  wigwams,  with 
my  pafs  and  recommendation  from  our  Tribe,  as  was 
my  conftant  pradice  to  every  Tribe  through  which  I 
paflcd  on  my  way  to  Canada.  My  waiters  were  kindly 
received,  and  obtained  liberty  to  pafs  through  their  na 
tion.*  The  Tribe  received  me  with  peculiar  fatisfuc- 
tion,  knowing  my  Tribe,  and  my  rank  among  them. 

My 

1  • 

*This  Tribe  is  oalled  Scarreofaw,.  which  fignifies  the 
Moofe  Tube. 


$  MEMOIRS    OF 

My  tarry  among  them  was  but  (hort,  p&ftiing  for 
ward  towards  home  with  all  fpeed.  Here  I  difmilled 
my  waiters,  who  returned  back  to  their  homes ;  four 
others  of  the  Scarreofaw  Tribe  were  allowed  to  accom 
pany  me  to  the  next  Tribe,  which  was  invariably  prac 
ticed  by  every  Tribe  through  which  I  palled. 

Having  procured  fome  proviEon,  with  my  new- 
companions  I  took  my  leave  and  departed,  obferving 
a  northern  courfe.  This  Tribe  at  their  own  espence 
provided  for  me  a  canoe  and  provifion.  We  travelled 
on  for  thirty -three  days  before  we  came  to  the  next" 
Tribe;  each  day  on  our  encampment,  at  evening,  we 
took  care  to  cook  (except  when  on  the  water)  a  fuf- 
ficiency  for  twenty-four  hours,  frequently  killing  fowl 
and  other  game  as  came  in  our  way.  I  was  received 
by  this  Tribe  with  every  mark  of  friendship.  Here 
I  tarried  a  Ihort  time.* 

During  rny  flay  among  them,  after  difrmffing  my 
former  fervants,   this  Tribe  made  the  neceflary  prepa 
ration  for  my  journey,  in  waiters,  canoe  and  proTifion. 
In  this  people  I  obferved  a  fenfible  difference,  between 
their  language  and  ours,  infomuch  that  I  could  under- 
iland  but  very  little  of  theirs,   I  muft  therefore  be  put 
[to  much  difficulty  in  my  travel,  but  the  waiters  who  al 
ternately 

*  The  name  of  this  Tribe  is  Ifeneto,   which  fignifies  the 
Beaver  Tiibe. 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSQE  D  ERES.     77 

rernatety  waited  on  me,  fufficiently  underftood  the  dif 
ferent  language  to  tranfact  the  neceffary  bufmefs,  fa 
that  I  found  no  great  difficulty  of  being  introduced  to 
the  feveral  chiefs  with  whom  I  had  occafion  to  tranfact 
my  neceflafy  bufmefs — cne  Tribe  fufficiently  under- 
ftanding  the  language  of  the  next  Tribe,  and  fo  on 
from  Tribe  to  Tribe  until  my  arrival  within  the  limits 
of  Canada.  With  my  promifes  of  future  friend'ftiip 
v/ith  them,  and  not  hefitating  to  mention  my  nuiking- 
thern  fome  valuable  prefents  on  my  return,  (for  they 
v/ere  informed  by  my  waiters  of  the  object  of  my  jour 
ney)  if  ever  put  in  practice,  with  the  ufual*  ceremonies 
and  neceflaries  I  departed. 

On  my  way  I'crofled  a  river  very  wide,  the  water 
appeared  remarkably  white,  which  I  underftood  was 
caufed  by  a  bed  of  filver  ore.  Having  travelled  on  in 
this  manner  for  about  nine  months  I  came  in  fight  of  a 
large  pond,  on  the  oppofite  fide  was  a  village*  the  refi- 
dence  of  another  Tribe.  After  croffing  this  pond  I 
font  two  of  my  men  to  the  Tribe  as  I  had  practiced* 
heretofore,  my  meflengers  after  about' an  hour's  abfence 
returned  with  the  following  ftory,  that  on  their  arrival 
they  enquired  for  the  chief  or  head  Indian  of  thatTribe, 
they  were  informed  that  the  Tribe  was  under  the  com 
mand  of  a  very  old  fquaw,  to  her  they  delivered  their 
meffage,  who  replied  that  {he  would  receive  me  provi 
ded  I  could  (land  her  trial  of  my  courage  as  a  good 

warrior, 


?  .  MEMOIRS    OF 

warrior,  &c;  faying  that  ihe  had  a  method  whereby 
fhe  could  diftinguifka  man  of  courage  from  a  coward, 
that  if  I  would  confent  to  (land  the  trial,  flie  was  wil 
ling  fo  far  to  receive  me.,  On  hearing  this  I.  entered  th<; 
village,  determining  to  ftand  trial,  eagerly  intent  on 
my  journey, .  determining  to  furmount  every  impedi 
ment  ;  by  the  direction  of  my  guides  I  foon  found  my 
lady's  wigwam  \  on  coming  near,  faw  her  (landing  at 
the  door  with  a  piftol  in  one  hand,  with  the  other  hand 
fhe  caught  hold  of  my  right  hand  and  difcharged  the 
piflol,  pointing  it  to  my  breaft  ;  at  this  I  neither  winked 
nor  ftarted  back  ;  fhe  faw  my  firmnefs,  pulled  me  into 
her  wigwam,  entertained  me  and  my  attendance  in 
the  beft  manner  according  to  their  method  of  treating 
ftrangers  of  the  firft  rank.*  The  next  morning  the 
old  fquaw  informed  me  that  (he.  would  provide  all  the 
neceiiaries  for  my  journey,  I  then  difmifed  the  young 
men  who  attended  me  to  this  Tribe.  The  old  Queen 
and  I  foon  became  acquainted,  and  in  my  broken  way 
1  communicated  to  her  the  motives  for  my  undertaking 
this  journey,  and  fome  {ketches  cf  my  former  fufferings,. 
tic  ;  to  all  which  flie  paid  particular  attention,  and 
observing  my  fprightly  actions  and  warlike  appearance, 
made  me  an  olFer  of  being  one  of  her  firft  officers  and 

favourites,. 

•*  I  learnt  that  it  was  her  pra£l!ce  to  treat  all  Grangers  who 
J  her  patronage  .by  trying  them  as  above,  if  they  flinched 
they  ware  deprived  of  her  good  offices. 


CHARLES   D-ENNIS  RlTSOE  D*ERES.  JQ 

favourite's,  and  that  I  fhould  -marry  her  favourite 
daughter  if  I  would  tarry  with  her,  with  many  other 
perfuafive  arguments.  She  endeavoured  to  prevent  my 
purfuing-m^r  plan  of  returning  to  my  friends,  but  all 
to  no  purpofe-— fhe  found  that  I  would  not  tarry,  made 
the  necefTary  preparation  for  my  departure,  and  in  fix 
days  after  -my  firft  acquaintance  with  her,  I  took  my 
leave  and  departed,  with  four  men,  canoe  and  prov*- 
fion.  Myjoyincreafing  on  my  nearer  approach  to  my 
own  country  ferved  as  wings  to  waft  me  on. 

I  continued  my  journey  from  Tribe  to  Tribe  in  th* 
fame  manner  as   before  defcribed.     Some  villages,  t; 
refidence  of  each  particular  Tribe  were  diftant  one  frc 
the  other,  fome  forty,  fome  fifty  miles.     On  my  waj 
croffeda  very  large  and  rapid  river,  fupplied  by  th 
remarkable  large  fprings  on  the   fide  of  a  large  rr. 
tain,  not  far  diftant  from  the  place  of  the  river  v 
[  pafied  over,     I  cheerfully  went  on  with    my 
men,  canoe,  &c.  for  about  one  month  after  paffiLo    - 
ver  this  river,  I  travelled  on,  and  on   the    igth  day  of 
June    1787,  I  arrived   at   Detroit  after   eleven  years 
abfence. 

Although  now  among  my  countrymen,  I  but  poor* 
y  enjoyed  myfelf  for  feveral  days,  having  been  fo  long 
ibfent  I  had  almoft  forgot  my  French  language, 
and  the  inhabitants  took  me  for  an  Indian  ;  ho wercr, 

one 


o  MEMOIRS  O? 

one  day  I  entered  the  (lore  belonging  to  a  Mr.  Baibie, 
1iis  clerk  attentively  viewed  me,  faw  fomething  in  aiy 
countenance  different  from  the  countenances  of  my  In- 
dian  companions,  afked  me  in  French,  if  twas  all  In* 
fKan  ?  I  anfwered  him  in  the  negative  ;  on  his  queftion- 
'ing  me  further,  I  informed  him,  though  in  a  broken 
manner,  of  my  misfortunes  among  the  Indians,  and 
that  my  father  -lived  near  Quebec,  on  my  leaving  him 
•in  the  firft  of  the  year  1776;  the  clerk  immediately 
«alled  Mr.  .Baibie  and  informed  him  who  I  was,  of  my 
iuflferings,  whether  bound,  &c.  This  worthy  man  mov 
ed  with  the- account  I  had  given  ofjnyfelf,  took  partic 
ular  notice  of  me,  and  gave  me  provifion  during  my 
tarry  at  Detroit.  Here  I  difmi(Ted  my  friendly  com 
panions,  the  Indians  who  came  \vith  me  to  Detroit  5 
they  bid  me  an  affectionate  farewel  and  departed  for 
their  homes.  Mr.  Baibie  furnifted  me  with  money  td 
pay  my  pafTage  over  the  Lakes  St.  Clair  and  Erie,  I 
heartily  thanked  my  benefactor,  took  my  leave  of  him 
after  I  had  fpent  ten  days  at  Detroit,  and  departed,) 
homewards  bound,  and  arrived  at  Lake  Erie  in  a  few 
days.  Here  I  tarried  but  one  day*  from  thence  I  weal 
on  by  the  way  of  Niagara  Falls  to  Lake  Ontario  1 
here  I  tarried  a  few  days,  waiting  for  a  paflage  ove| 
this  Lake,  I  was  much  reduced,  having  fold  wh.it 
trifles  I  could  fpare,  at  length  hearing  of  a  fmall  veC 
fel  arriving  from  Cataraque,  I  immediately  went  ofl 
board,  and  to  my  great  joy,  found  the  commander  to 


CHARLES   DENNIS  RUSOE   D'f.IiES.  8l 

&e  my  coufin  from  Quebec — we  had  not  feen  each  oth-» 
cr  for  eleven  years  ;  the  joy  felt  by  us  both  on  this  joy-* 
ful  meeting,  is  better  felt  than  expreffed— with  this 
•friend  I  croffed  the  Lake  and  came  to  Montreal. 


While  at  Cataraque,  being  in  a  lonely,  difcon&late 
ftate,  deftitute  of  money  and  friends,  I  met  with  a  gen- 
tlemfcn*  to  whom  I  communicated  my  wants;  he,  touch 
ed  with  my  dillrefs,  at  once  became  my  friend,  and  be 
ing  a  man  of  companion  and  large  property,  he  took 
•off  my  uncouth  drefs  (Indian  fafhion)  and  gave  me 
•one  agreeably  to  the  drefs  of  the  people  with  whom 
I  now  refided — here  I  tarried  for  one  month  under  the 
^ye  and  affiftance  of  my  invaluable  friend  and  benefac 
tor — after  which,  as  above  related,  I  (my  new  drefs 
giving  me  fome  uneafinefs)  aukwardly  drolled  about 
for  fome  time  ;  at  length  finding  a  vefTel  bound  to 
Quebec,  -I  engaged  my  paffage  thither,  and  after  four 
days  arrived  at  the  city,  the  fight  i>f  which  gave  me 
inexpreffiblejoy.  On  my  landing,  my  eyes  were  ftruck 
with  a  moft  agreeable  fatisfaclion,  viewing  now  an  ob 
ject  which  heretofore,  in  my  juvenile  ftate,  filled  me 
with  fingular  pleafure  ;  anon  an  edifice  of  public  refort 
ftruck  me  with  inexpreffible  joy — walking  from  #reet- 
to  ftreet,  I  faw  many  of  my  former  acqaintance,  to  me 

fully 


*  Mr.  Geroge  M'Lone,  a  merthant  of  probity  aod  large 
property, 

H 


2  MEMOIRS    OP 

.lull  7  knows,  but  to  them  I  was  as  a  ftranger  —  my  joy 
>on  feeing  them,  many  of  whom  being  my  former  inti 
mates  at  fchool  and  juvenile  excurfions,  overflowed  to 
that  degree,  that  I  could  not  reftrain,  but  in  a  flood  of 
voluntary  tears  of  joy  I  flopped  them,  and  caught 
them  by  the  ai:m,  with  a  fobing  heart,  in  broken  French 
•cried  out,  do  you  not  kno,w  me  ?  I  am  Charley,  your 
-once  beloved  and  faithful  companion  in  forrow  and  joy  ; 
I  am  he  who  you  faw  wontonly  torn  from  your  affec 
tions,  and  from  the  embraces  of  an  indulgent,  tender 
•father,  and  by  the  command  of  a  tyrannical  ruler,  pn- 
Tefervedly  given  to  the  Savages  of  the  wildernefs,  with 
-them  I  have  encountered  many  dangers,  furmonntcd 
^unheard  of  (by  you)  trials  ;  I  have  fought  you  with 
wearifome  fteps,  and  here  in  this  beloved,  peaceful  city 
1  have  found  you.  On  their  recognifing  me,  they  with 
•  opet\  arms  received  and  embraced  me,  and  with  un 
feigned  friendiliip,  one  and  all  invited  me  to  their  re£ 
e  dwellings. 


\VJth  my-  quondam,  boforn  companions,  I  tarried 
"but  a  few  days,  enjoying  their  fuicere  congratulations 
.on  my  fa.fe  return  to  the  city,  wherein  my  firil  young 
rpulfe  began  to  beat  ;  my  anxiety  of  feeing  my  dear 

father*  and  family,  urged  my  departure. 

I  arrived 


*0n  my  arrival   at  Ouebcc,  I   found  th*t  my  father  flitt 

,Uvci  at5t,  Nicola. 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOE  D^ERES.      83 

I  arrived  at  Quebec  on  Saturday,  Auguft  the  ictb, 
1787,  and  on  Monday  following,  I  took  my  leave  of  my 
Quebec  friends,  and  at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
of  the  fame  day,  arrived  at  my  father'*  houfe  at  St. 
Nicola,*  without  much  difficulty  I  found  his  dwelling, 
and  eagerly  entered ;  here  I  found  a  beloved  filler, 
who  intent  on  her  domeftic  affair^  on  my  entering 
took  but  little  notice  of  me,  however  The  complimented 
me  with  a  feat  near  her ;  I  attentively  viewed  her5  and 
eafily  difcovered  in  her  countenance  a  family  likenefs, 
I  was  eager  to  inform  her  of  the  cauft  of  my  vifit  ;  I 
therefore  began  to  converfe  with  her,  as  who  is  the 
matter  and  owner  of  this  houfe  ?  is  he  within  ?  or  gene 
feme  diftance  from  home  ?  to  which  fhe  anfwered, 
this  houfe  is  owned  and  occupied  by  Mr.  Louis  Rufoe 
D'Eres,who  is  now  in  his  {hop  hard  by ;  I  then  queftion- 
ed  her  about  the  owner's  family  ?  fhe  informed  me  that 
his  family  was  but  fmall,  having  heretofore  had  a  large 
one  ;  that  but  three  children  were  left,  (lie  being  one  j 
that  the  family  had  been  unfortunate,  having  parted 
with  two  fons  much  beloved,  one  was  gone  to  France  to 
perfect  his  trade,  being  a  Jimner,  the  other,  a  beloved 
brother,  the  youngeft  of  die  family,  was  by  a  more  than 
biutal  decree  given  to  Indians,  and  by  them  carried  to 
their  far  diftant  dwellings,  this  by  my  aged  and  tender 

Father 


*The  diflance  from  Quebec  bcirg  but  nine  miles. 


#4  MEMOIRS    OF 

father  was  feverely  felt,  for  many  days  and  lonely 
nights  he  lamented  the  lofs  of  his  much  beloved  fon, 
would  often  in  the  extremity  of  grief  cry  out,  Oh  my 
fon  !  my  fon  !  how  waft  thou  torn  from  thy  fond  fa 
ther's  embrace  ?  and  that  at  a  period  moft  engaging, 
arid  what  adds  to  my  infelt  forrow,  given  to  the  uncul 
tivated  Savages  of  the  tracklefs  wildernefs,  where  noth 
ing  but  brutal  roar,  increafed  by  the  more  brutal  man 
ners  of  cafe -hardened  wretches,  ftrangers  to  every  feel- 
ig  of  humanity  ;  all  this  and  much  more  was  the  dai- 
iy  effufions  of  my  father's  parental  breaft.  I  too,  faid 
jny  filter,  mingled  my  tears  and  «ries  with  the  belt  of 
fathers,  but  alas !  alas  !  our  fighings  were  loft  in  air, 
my  once  beloved  brother  is  gone,  no  more  to  be  feen 
and  careifed  by  his  fond  father  and  deareft  connec 
tions. 

This  moving  account  given   by  my  fifter,  entered 

°.il,  and  roufed  all  my  padlons  to  the  high- 

...rile  time  I  was  unable  to  utter  even  one 

,  at  length  my  tender  paffions  but  a  little  fubfided, 

I  began  by  informing  her,  that  I  had  travelled  among 

Indians  of  various  Tribes,  that  in    my  travels    I  heard 

much  of  a  perfon  who  had  been  wontonly  delivered  to 

them,  that  I  had  often    heard   his   lementations    echo 

through  the  uncultivated  defert ;  at  this  {lie  attentively 

eyed  me,  and  burft  into  tears,  here  a  fcene  opened  im- 

pofliblc  for  me  to  defcribe  \  here  fat  a  long  abfent  and 

aim  oft 


CHARLES   DENNIS  RUSOE   D*ERE3*  85 

almoft  forgotten  brother,  there  a  beloved  filter,  eager 
ly  catching  every  falling  word  from  the  lips  of  aTriendly 
ftranger — I  could  no  longer  refrain,  but  fprang  from  my 
feat,  caught  her  in  my  willing  arms,  and  with  a  Ham 
mering  voice,  exclaimed,  I  am  your  brother  !  I  am  he 
who  was  torn  from  my  friends  and  fuftered,  was  dead 
to  them,  now  alive  to  declare  to  you  what  I  have  expe 
rienced  in  the  various  turns  of  Providence  during  my 
long  abfence — does  my  father  live  ?  is  his  life  ftill  con 
tinued  to  receive  the  filial  embrace  ?  and  to  give  the 
parental  welcome  ?  my  fitter  was  much  overcome  and 
for  awhile  could  not  realife  my  fafe  return,  fhe  at 
length  recovered,  faying,  flay  my  brother,  I  will  haf- 
ten  to  my  father.  My  fifter  ran  to  my  father,  found 
him  in  the  fbop  directing  his  « workmen,  fhe  immedi 
ately  informed  him  of  what  fhe  had  fesn  and  heard, 
he  liftened  with  indifference,  faying  ail  this  cannot  be 
true,  your  brother  is  long  fmce  dead,  your  informer  is 
fome  impoftor,  who  ori  hearing  the  particulars  of  our 
lofs  in  your  brother,  now  to  curry  favour  with  us,  has 
contrived  this  plaufible  ftory  fo  impofe  on  us.  Her  tar 
rying  fo  long  increafed  my  defire  to  fee  him,  I  ran  to  the 
fhop,  on  entering  I  at  once  knew  him,  he  turned  to 
wards  me  and  caught  me  in  his  arms ;  now  thought  I, 
my  joy  is  compleat,  my  toils  are  at  an  end,  once  n 
I  rcalife  the  embrace  of  a  long  abfent  father  ;  begone 
ye  dclufive  fantoms,  keep  back  yc  vifk-iriry  di  earns, 

let 
PI  Z 


85  MEMOIRS  OF 

let  me  bathe,  fecurely  bathe  in  the  joyful  tears,*  and 
embrace  the  tendered  of  fathers  ;  to  this  the  fpecla- 
tors  could  but  utter,  how  tender  the  embrace  of  long, 
nbfent  friends  ? 

After  many  exprcffions  of  unfeigned  joy?  we  retired 
to  my  father's  houfe,  where  he  gave  me  a  minute  ac 
count  of  his  trials  after  I  left  him,  of  my  brother  and 
orher  filler.  He  told  me  that  he  and  my  brother  were 
confined  in  the  guard  houfe  during  the  American  war* 
and  at  the  commencement  of  peace  were  liberated  | 
*hat  he  had  fullered  much  in  his  property,  having  loft 
i-iis  real  property  in  Quebec,  in  confequence  of  his  tak. 

an  active  part  with  General  Montgomery,  as  has 
been  related  ;  that  my  brother  was  gone  to  France  ; 
Jfeat  my  other  filler  was  now  in  a  family  ftate,  having 
*>een  married  about  two  years. 

My  father  being  (previous  to  my  return)  left  with 
out  afon,  he  propofed  that  I  fhould  tarry  with  him  and 
go  on  with  his  black-fmith's  bufmefs— to  this  I  readily 
confented,  and  went  on  in  that  line  four  years,  enjoy 
ing  myfeif  with  my  friends,  with  as  much  eafe  and  fat- 
isfaclion  as  if  I  had  been  with  them  from  my  youth, 
forgetting  all  things  behind,  lopitmg  for  better  things 

to 

'*  The  relater  fuppofes  that  joyful  as  well  as  forrowful  tears 
alternately  flow, 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOE  D^ERES,  8/ 

to  come.    Thus  I  went  on  until   an  unexpected  letter 
from  Montreal  marr'd  all  my  comforts. 

Two  Indian  chiefs  arrived  at  my  father's  with  a 
letter  from  Colonel  Campbell*  at  Montreal.  On  their 
coming  I  was  much  alarmed,  knowing  them  to  belong 
to  a  Tribe  through  which  I  pafled,  when  on  my  return 
to  Canada.  I  communicated  this  to  my  father,  who 
was  much  troubled  and  advifed  rne  to  take  no  notice 
of  his  letter,  which  was  to  invite  me  to  repair  to  M6n- 
treal,  there  to  undertake  to  go-  as  interpreter  among 
the  Indians  to  negoeiate  the  bufmefs  for  the  Englifh  a- 
mong  them.  My  father  anxioufly  enquired  of  the  chiefs 
what  Mr.  Campbell  wanted  of  me  ?  why  he  had  fent 
for  me  ?  they  replied,  they  knew  nothing  of  the  bufi- 
uefs.  I  hearing  of  Colonel  Campbell's  gentleman-like 
character  did  not  hefitace,  but  with  the  chiefs  fet  off 
for  Montreal* 

On  my  arrival  Mr.  Campbell  informed  me,  that 
&e  was  in  want  of  an  interpreter  to  go  with  the  In 
dians,  &c  ;  the  Indians  recogniilng  my  perfon,  claimed 
me  as  having  received  marvy  favours  from  them,  when 
among  them.  On  this  I  began  to  fear  fome  trap  wa-s 
layed  to  carry  me  back  to  the  Indians. 

The 


*An  officer  of  dhlinflion  at  Montreal,  and  overfeer  of  the 
Esiglifh  trade  with  the  Indians. 


88  MEMOIRS    OF 

The  very  idea  of  returning  among  them  x?as  (ufficient 
to  forbid  my  undertaking,  I  therefore  difcovered  a 
backvvardilefs ;  on  which  Mr.  Campbell  ufed  many 
perfuafive  arguments  to  gain  my  confent ;  as  that  I 
fhould  be  allowed  captain's  pay  with  rations,  and  other 
priviledges  annexed  to  that  office  ;  that  tliofe  Indians 
came  for  this  purpofe  three  hundred  miles,  and  could 
not  be  denied ;  that  the  trade  with  them  was  of  the 
great  eft  confequence  to  the  Britifh  nation.*  All  this 
Mr.  Campbell  fuppofed  was  a  fufEcient  indacement  for 
me  to  engage  in  this  important  million,  and  propofed 
that  I  fhould  take  the  oath  of  office  and  of  allegiance 
to  the  Britifh  King,  &c.  &c.  This  fenfibly  touched 
me,  at  once  realifmg  my  former  treatment  from  that 
King's  officers.  I  was  fo  much  irritated  that  Ifliew 
my  refentment  in  words,  (perhaps  too  fevere)  this  the 
Colonel  refented  as  pointed  at  him  and  his  King  ;  he 
called  a  guard  to  take  me  into  cuftody — this  rncenfed 
me  but  the  more  ;  I  was  fo  far  from  being  intimidated, 
that  I  even  damned  him,  and  defied  his  guard.  The 
Indians  being  now  abfent,  I  turned  my  back,  ran  to 
the  river,  jumped  into  a  boat,  which  fortunately  pre- 
fentcd  for  my  efcape.  In  this  boat  I  croiTed  the  St. 
Lawrence  and  with  all  fpeed  made  tovrards  St.  Nicola. 

Colonel 


*  This  trade  with  the  Indians  confided   in  furs    of  various 
kinds,    large  quantities  *>f  which  were  annually   exported    to 

England.  . 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOE  D*£RES.  09 

Colonel  Campbell  immediately  difpatched  a:  mef~ 
fcnger  with  a  letter  to  governor  Carlton  at  Quebec, 
containing  an  account*  of  my  efcape,  and  the  neceflity 
«f  apprehending  me.  This  mefTenger  arrived  at  Que 
bec  nearly  as  foon  as  I  arrived  at  St.  Nicola,  and  with 
in  two  days  after  my  arrival,. a  ferjeant  with  his  guard 
properly  equiped,  came  to  my  father's  houfe  in  queft 
of  their  prey — on  hearing  this  1  armed  myfelf,  went 
out  to  them,  and  informed  them  that  I  was  determin 
ed  not  to  be  taken  alive,  that  I  would  kill  the  firft  per- 
fon  who  fhould  touch,  me. — this  brought  on  a  parley, 
they  informed  me  that  they  did  not  wifh  to  injure  me, 
that  they  had  no  orders  for  this  ;  on  this  they  retired 
to  a  neighbouring  houfe,  which  gave  me  an  opportun 
ity  to  reflect  on  my  fituation  and  mode  of  my  future 
conduct. 

i 

On  a  mature  deliberation  of  my  prefent  fituation  I 
thought  it  beft  to  decamp,f  and  pufh  for  the  United 
States,  hoping  there  to  find  a  fccure  afylum  from  the 
Brhifh.  This  plan  I  communicated  to  my  father,  and 
I  to  fome  few  of  my  beft  friends — this  they  confented 
to  reluctantly,  in  hopes  of  my'Tafe  return  to  tht.-m  at 

fome 


*  As  I  afterward?  learnt  from  Montreal,  and  that  he  confid* 
ered  me  as  engaged  in  the  Britifh  fervicc, 

f  As  I  expefted  another  vifi't  from  them,  and  the  uncertain 
ty  of  the  fucccfs. 


()O  MEMOIRS    OF 

fome  future  period.  Having  their  confent  and  appro 
bation,  I  prepared  rnyfelf  as  well  as  my  time  and  cir- 
>:umftances  would  allow. 

I  left  my  father's  family,  dire&ed  my  courfe  to 
St.  Johns,  wkere  I  fafely  arrived  ;  here  I  procured  a 
pafs  to  Onion  Rnver  Vermont  State,  and  arrived 
without  much  difficulty,,  and  let  myfelf  to  General 
Allen,with  whom  I  wrought  one  month;  he  not  having 
any  further  employ  for  me,  I  then  engaged  with  a  Mr. 
Boynton  an  innkeeper  for  two  months,  to  work  at  the 
blackfmith's  and  farmer's  bufmefs  ?  I  alfo  wrought  at 
my  trade  with  a  Mr.  Collins. 

One  Evening  at  Mr.  Boynton's,  I  found  two  men* 
vrho  came  from  Momtreal,  bound  to  Hatfield  and 
Northampton — I  fuppofing  myfelf  to  be  at  too  fhort  a 
diitance  from  Mr.  Campbell,  and  that  fie  might  by 
fome  means  find  out  my  place  of  abode  ;  I  therefore 
engaged  a  paffage  with  the  travellers  in  their  carriage, 
intending  to  pulh  farther  on  towards  Bpfton  or  New- 
York. 

On  our  arrival  at  Northampton,  they  generoufiy 
gave  me  half  the  fum  agreed  on  for  my  paflage,  having 
paid  an  equal  proportion  of  our  expence  on  the  jour 
ney.  I  endeavoured  to  enter  on  fome  employment  in 

this. 

*  White  and  Chapin. 


CHARLES  DENNIS  RUSOE   D  ERES.  Ql 

this  town,  but  found  none  —  parted  with  my  two  friends 
and  left  the  town,  having  Bofton  in  view  —  travelled  on 
the  road  leading  thither-  ;  at  length  coming  into  Brook- 
field,  I  again  offered  my   fervice,  but  finding  none  at 
my  trade  —  at  length  I  entered  the  houfe  of  a  G  -  m 
M  -  e,  and  enquired  if  they   wanted  to  hire  a  good 
hand  to  afiift  them  in   their  domeftic  bufmefs  ?  on  my 
putting  my  queftion,   a  rough   looking,  hard  fac'd  old 
man,*  fetting  by  the  fire   place,  turned  to  me,  quef- 
tioned  me  of  my  good  qualities  and   /kill  in  work  ?  I 
anfwered  that  I  was  acquainted  with    the    blackfmith's 
bufmefs,  that  I  alfo  had  feme  knowledge   of  farming, 
and  of  other  domeftic  employments,  that  I  had  fought 
employment  at  my  trade,  but  of  late  found  none,  that 
I  was  willing  on  proper  encouragement    to  engage    in 
farming,  &c  ;  to  which  he  liftened,  and  replied  that  he 
was  net  a  mechanic,  but  that  he  was  a  farmer  and  want 
ed  help;  I  faid  I  fhould  be  glad  to  engage  with  him  if  a- 
greeabk  :  he  made  me  an  offer,  which   although  fmall 
\vages  I    accepted,    and    covenanted  to  tarry  with  him 
feven  months.     Here  opened  a  new  fcene,  being  unac- 
cuftomed  to  this  new   employ  ;  however,    I  made  the 
"bed  of  a  bad  bargain,  and.  exerted  every  nerve  to  pleafe 
«iy  employer,   but  my  attempts   were   fmitlefs.     He 
treated  me  with  rigor  ;  turning  me  out  early,  and  keep- 

ing 


*  This  man  I  found  to  be  the  head  of  this  fami  Jy,  and  tint 
he  ruled  it  as  with  a  rod  of  Iron, 


$2  MEMOIRS    OF 

ing  me  late  in  the  meaneft  and  moft  arduous  labour  > 
turning  me  from  his  tabje  into  the  kitching  among  his 
negroes,  and  other  menial  fervants,  with  whom  I  drew 
an  equal  fliare  of  coarfe  and  rough  food — at  night  I 
was  obliged  to  turn  in  with  a  boy  who  invariably  ftuck 
to -his  rule  of  wetting  his  couch  every  night,  not  with 
tears  only,  but  with  a  liquid,  the  Englifti  name  of  which 
being  fo  difagreeable  I  forbear  to  pronounce,  although 
a  mon-ofyllable.  In  this  difagreeable  ftate  I  wrought 
with  him  through  the  feven  months,  for  which  I  enga 
ged.  My  employer  treated  me  thus  roughly  thinking 
to  oblige  me*  to  quit  his  fervice  before  my  time  of  en 
gagement  expired,  thereby  to  clip  me  of  my  wages  ; 
but  in  this  he  was  miftaken — in  many  otherrefpecls  he 
treated  me  with  more  than  favage  brutality  (executions 
cnly  excepted)  infomuch  that  I  frequently  wifhed  my- 
felfwithmy  Indian  frieifds,  at  Scanyawtaumgahrooote 
liland.  With  much  difficulty  I  recovered  my  wages 
of  this  churl ;  who  anfwered  to  every  bad  quality  both 
in  mind  and  perfon.  After  this  I  let  myfelf  out  to 
work  at  my  trade  for  fifteen  months  with  a  Mr.  Abbot,f 
who  carried  on  the  fmith's  bufinefs  with  difpatch,  and 
to  good  advantage^  My  tarry  with  this  man  was  moft 
agreeable*  he  _r.i  nis  family  treated  me  in  every  refpect 
with  humanity,  and  on  all  occafions  with  tendernefs. 
Here  I  became  acquainted  not  only  with  the  inhabi- 

""  tants 

*  A$  I  after«varjds  learnt.       t  Mr,  Abbot  lived  in  BrookSe'd. 


Clf  AR  LES  S3ENN1S   R'USC'E   fc'ffc'ES.  93 

mnts  of  this,  but  of  the  neighbouring  towns  alfo.  Be 
fore  the  expiration  of  my  term  I  engaged  for  with  Mr." 
Abbot,  I  found  an  opening  at  Spencer,  a  neighbouring 
town  fuitable  for  my  bufmefs — thither,  on  the  expira 
tion  of  the  term  I  engaged  for,  after  receiving  my  wa 
ges,  I  removed,  and  with  faitable  encouragement  fet 
tip  for  myfelf ;  foon  became  acquainted  with  the  inhabi 
tants,  and  gained  much  cuftofn. 

Thus  feated,  I  began  to  turn  my  mind  upon  the 
comforts  of  a  conjugal  life,  having  previoufly  gene 
through  my  portion  of  forrow  and  fatigue.  I  became 
acquainted  with  a  female*  of  this  town,  to  whom  I 
made  my  addrefTes,  and  in  a  proper  time,  agreeably  to 
the  cuftom  of  this  country,  'made  her 'my  wife — this 
took  place  Augufl  -19  th,-  1794.  In  this  town  of  Spen 
cer  I  tarried  thirteen'months  after  marriage,  enjoying  all 
"the  comforts  of  a  fiomeftlc  life,  furrounded  with  many 
friends,  formed  by  my  new  conjugal  connection* 

This  town  is  a'n  inland  fituation,xriade  up  principal 
ly  of  farmers — my  unaccuflornednefs  to  work  fuitablf 
Tor  them,  led  me  to  corifider  this,, town  not  as  a  fuitablc 
place  for  my  future  refidence  and  employ  ;  I  therefore 
fought  for  a  town  better  lituated  for  fuch  buflnefs,  as  I 
was  rnoR  acquainted  with  and  bed  calculated  to  purfue- 

J  made 


*  Mifs  Hannah  Grouty,  a  maiden  lady  of  good  repute, 
a  branch  of  a  rcfpe^able  family- 


p4  MEMOfRJ,    <eC. 

.1-rnade  'all  the  enquiry  in  my  poorer  For  fuch  a  town  ; 
at  length,  hearing  much  faid  of  a  northern  State,* 
'hat  bufmefs  was  carried  on  there  to  great  advantage, 
.1  refolved  to  try  my  luck  in  that  quarter :  with  this 
view  I  left  Spencer — travelled  until  I  came, to  .a  towa 
which  on  my  tint  entrance  agreeably  ftruck  my  mind— • 
Jierc  I  fought  -employ,  and  luckily  found  a  manf  -v/ho 
wanted  my  work  ;  with  him  I  engaged,  and  from  him 
and  his  family  received  much  kindnefs.  I  be 
came  intimate  and  made  him  my  confidential  friend  : 
he  having  learnt  the  hi  (lory  of  my  pad  life,  and  future 
\vifhes,  encouraged  me  to  fet  up  my  bufinefs  in  the 
town,  by  whofe  friendly  advice  and  affifVartce  I  made 
an  attempt,  and  found  it  fuccefsful  in  gaining  cuflom 
and  credit. 

Soon  after  my  fettlement  in  my  new  and  la  ft  ft  a- 
tion,  I  fent  for  .my  yokefellow,  with  whom  I  now  re- 
5dc  in  a.mGft  agreeable  fituation,  where  I  hope  to  con 
tinue  fo  long  as  my  ftrength,  ikill  and  integrity  fliali 
^id  rne  in  gainrag  cuftom  and  reputation,  as 
ali  good  citizens. 

.  tMr,  J.  C,  Smith. 


APPENDIX, 


UCH  hath  been  faid  and  publifned  (by- 
the  learned)  on  the  origin  of  the  aborigines  of  this 
country  at  different  periods,  fmce  the  fir  (I  difcovery 
and  fetdement  of  America,  by  Europeans.  However 
plaufible  their  hypothetical  mode  of  reafoning  may  be, 
nothing,  as  yet  hath  ever  appeared  fufEciently  conclu,- 
five  on  thafc  fubjecl.,  and  I  conceive  never  can  be,  a-j 
the  materials  neceffary  for  compiling  an  authentic 
hiftory  never  can  be  obtained  ;  the  natives  not  having; 
it  in  their  power  to  give  any  account  from  whence 
their  anceftors  fprang,  nor  even  to  give  any  account, 
of  matters  that  have  taken  place  in  modern  time-; 
any  further  back,  than  by  faying  that  fuch  and  fuch- 
matters,  as  battles  fought  by  them  and  vi<5tory  on  their 
fide.iucceeded,  &c.  fo  many  moons  pa  ft,  (as  they  count 
by  moons  that  alternately  fucceed  after  fuch  events.) 

Any  further  attempts,  therefore,  to  trace  Indian 
chronology  fo  fur  as  to  reduce  it  to  any  tolerable  de 
gree  of  fatisfaftion,  muft  be  fruitless ;  however,  I  leave 
that  to  thofe  who  are  pleafed  wkh  the  iludy  of  anticui* 


96  APPENDIX. 

ty,  and  who  are  fond  of  drawing  pofitiYa  coxifequenecsi? 
from  (as  they  fay)  circumftantial  premifes. 

A?  my  refidsncs  among  thofe.  Indians  to  whom  I 
was  given  was  for  a  confiderable  length  of  time,  the 
account  I  propofe  to  give  of  them  may  be  depended 
on,  having  been  an  eye  witnefs  to  many  of  their  move 
ments,  both  in  war  and  peace,  myfelf  being  accounted* 
by  them,  as  one,  and  that  of  no  fmall  confequence,  both 
in  the  cabinet  and  ia  the  field  of  Mars. 

That  the  reader  may  have  a  better  idea  of  their 
manners,  cuitoms,  £c.  Sec.  I  fhall  give  it  in  chapters^ 
is  by  the  following  fequal  may  be  read. 

My  acquaintance  with  the  Tribes  of  Indians  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  ifland  of  Scanyawtauragahrooote,  was 
tut  ftnall,  although  with  that  Tribe  ten  years.  I  mall 
therefore  confine  myfelf  to  as  particular  a  defcriptioa, 
of  the  Tribe,  their  manners,  &c.  \vith  whom  I  refided. 
That  Tribe  was  the  moft  numerous  (as  I  was  informed 
by  their  chiefs)  of  any  in  that  part  of  America,  and, 
rood  warlike,  as  I  often  realifed  this  during  my  refi- 
i!cnce  with  them,  not  having  known  them  once  to  fail  i». 
.heir  warlike  feats,  either  defcnfive  or  oiFenilve. 


CHAK 


APPE'NDIX  97 

CHAP.      I, 
OF  THEIR    PERSONS,  DRESS^  &e* 


T 


HEY  are  in  general  tall  and  ftrait  limbed.  A  dc^ 
formed  perfon  is  rarely  to  be  found  among  them. 
Their  fkin  is  of  a  copper  colour — their  eyes  are  large 
and  very  black,  and  of  a  piercing  fight,  difcovering 
objects,  though  fmall,  at  a  great  diftance,  infomuch, 
that  they  feldom  fail  of  ftriking  the  mark  aimed  at  by 
the  guide  of  the  feathered  arrow.  Their  teeth  are  well 
fet,  and  feldom  fail, even  in  old  agev— their  breath  fweet 
as  the  gentle  zephyr  of  an  unclouded  morning  of  May 
— - their  cheek  .  bones  are  rather  raifed,  more  fo  in  the 
female  than  the  male  ;  the  former  are  more  fleflsy,  and 
fhortsr"  than  the  latter.'  The  hair  of  both  fexes  is  very 
long,  coarfe,  and  cf  the  blacked  hue  ;  the  females 
pride  themfelves  much  in  the  length  and  flraitnefs  of 
theirs;  for  this  purpofe  they  frequently  apply  Bear's 
greafe)  and  a  certain  powder  pulyeriied  frprn  the  bark 
of  elm  or  brown  afn  ;  thus  prepared,  they  fyang  tr 
extremity  of  their  hair  lead  weigh ts?  which  ferves  to 
facilitate  the  growth, 

The  Indians- are  caref'dLtP  prevent  the  growth'  of 
any  hair  upon  any  part  of  their  body,  the  hairy  fcalp 
•sly  exeepted.  The  males  extract  their  beards,  &c. 

•with- 
la 


I 


9d  APPENDIX. 

with  nippers  made  of  wire,  procured  from,  the 
tards. 


The  males  of  all  ranks,  from  the*  warrior  to  the 
pappoofe,  are  marked  with  the  fun  on  the  outfide  of  the 
right  leg,  the  moon  and  feven  ftars  on,  the  infide  of  the 
fame  :  thofe.  of  the  males  who  have  diftinguiflied  them* 
{elves  by  their  extraordinary  exertions  in  war,  and  there=- 
by  acquired  great  names,  are  diftinguifhed  from  others 
by  the  fingular  drefs  of  the  head.  The  hair  is  plucked 
from  the  head,  except  a  fmall  portion  on  the  back  part 
the  bignefs  of  a  man's  hand  ;  the  hair  thus  left  on  is 
permitted  to  grow  to  a  great  length,  and  ornamented 
\vith  filver  broaches  and  feathers  of  various  colours* 
from  the  crown  of  the  head  to  the  extremity  of  the 
hair.  Their  blankets  alfo,  are  of  the  firft  quality,  and 
ornamented  with  Giver  clafps  ;  the  firft,  which  is  fixed 
at  the  nape  of  the  neck  behind,  is  as  large  as  a  crown 
piece,  and  fire  placed  equidiftant  in  a  ftrait  line  to  the 
bottom  of  the  blanket.  Each  clafp  or  broach.(for  'tis 
immaterial  which,  juft  as  it  fuits  the  hero)  proportion- 
ably  ctecreafe  in  fi^c  from  the  uppermoft  to  the  lower- 
moil,  which  is  fixed  at  the  loweft  extremity,  and  not 
larger  than  a  piece  of  filver  coin  of  the  fmalleft  value, 
The  perfons  thus  decorated,  are  refpe&ed  by  the  com 
monalty  at  feafts,  tournaments,  and  all  public  games, 
as  the  nobility  and  gentry  of  European  nations  are  by 
the  peafontry. 

The 


APPEND'IX,  99 

The  Indians  of  both  fexes  a?«  fond  of  pamt,  and 
mfe  it  op  all  occafions.  The  males  m  going  to  was 
paint  tlftir  faces  of  different  colours,  tke  right  fide 
black,  the  left  red*  fometimes  in  chequers  of  various 
colours,  as  black,  red,  gre^a,  yellow,  Ac,  The  females 
paint  a  fmall  portion  of  each  cheek  of  vermillion,  at 
fome  particular  feafons  their  arms  and  necks,  thei* 
breaft  alfo  the^  pay  particular  attention  to.  Thofe 
of  the  better  fort  ftifpend  rings  of  gold  or  filver  from 
their  nofes  and  ears. 

The  common  drefs  of  the  males  confifls  of  a  blank 
et,  clout  and  fhiit,  unconfined  at  the  rifts  or  collar,  | 
this  would  confine  their  arms  fo  much  as  to  prevent 
any  great  exertions  of  the  body  ;  their  legs  and  feet 
are  covered  with  ftockings  of  "Beaver  Ikins, ,  and 
mogafons  of  Moofe  hide  poorly  dre/Ted.  Their  blankets 
are  carefully  thrown  over  their  fhoulders,  holding  the 
upper  end  by  two  coiners  j  with  a  trufty  "knife  in  one 
hand,  pipe,  tobacco  pouch,  &c.  in  the  other,  they  walk 
about  the  village  j  but  in  their  dances,  they  throw  off 
the  blanket. 

The  females  wear  a  covering,  fbme  of  leather,  oth- 
«rs-oflinnen,  when  they  can  procure  it  from  the  Span 
iards  |  this  often  happens,  which  covers  the  peticoats* 

down 


*  Their  peticoats  arc  made  of  Moofe  hide  <jrrcoarf«/loliT 
when  attainable. 


ic*>  APPENDIX. 

down  to  the  knees-*-their  legs  and  feet  are  dre/fed  li 
the  males* 

The  manner  of  contracting  their  wigwams  hath 
already,  in  the  memoirs,  been  Efficiently  defcribedL 
Their  utenfils  for  domeftic  convenience,  are  ift  general 
tolerable^fuch  as  brafs  kettles,  both  large  and  fmall, 
as  occafion  requires.  Knives  are  feldom  ufed  but  in 
fcalping  and  carving  on  wood,  .making  wooden  la 
dles,  £c.  Their  veflels  ufed  at  feafts  are  wooden  difh- 
es  and  bowls  ;  into  which  the  prepared  food  is  dipped  by 
wooden  ladles.  Every  member  of  a  family  or  collect 
«d  multitude,  is  furnifhed  with  a  wooden  fpoon  tolera 
bly  executed. 

Their  other  furniture  confifts  of  beds,  formed  by 
piling  up  fkins  of  Bear,  Beaver  and  Buffalo,  to  a- 
bout  two  feet  from  the  ground,  on  which  their  beds, 
without  order  or  diftinclion,  are  placed.  The  beds  of 
the  parents  are  indifcriminately  prepared,  fo  that  the 
parents*  lodging  one  night,  often  becomes  the  lodging 
of  the  fons  or  daughters  the  fucceeding  night,  and  fo 
pjijufl  as  it  happens.  A  perfecl  harmony,  however, 
prevails  through  each  family,  both  at  their  meals  and 
retirements. 


CHAP, 


APPENDIX.  f«* 

CHAP.      II. 
OF  THEIR  MANNERS,  &c.  &cv 

HE  males  in  general  live  an  idle,  carelefs  life,, 
never  undertaking  buiinefs-  in  a  domefKc  line,  leaving 
that  to  the  females,  who  not  only  execute  every  kind  of 
manual  labour  at  home,  but  are  obliged  to  travel  into 
the  woods  and  bring  home  the  game,  whether  great  or 
fmall,  when  obtained  by  their  hufoands. 

Each  family  hath  a  particular  fpot  of  ground  af- 
ISgned  it  by  the  chiefs,  whereon  to  raife  corn,  beans*. 
&c  ;  all  which  is  tilled  by  the  females  of  each  family* 
and  in  autumn,  whatever  grows  thereon,  whether  corn 
or  any  other  vegetable,  the  profits  of  their  labour  is  care 
fully  fecured,  fo  that  the  males  are  left  to  their  eafe, 
while  at  home,  re.alinng  that  the  wife  is  truly  an  help 
meat. 

What  adds  much  to  the  arduous  toil  of  the  women 
already  defcribed,  is,  they  are  obliged  to  carry  with 
them  into  the  corn  field  fuch  infants  as  depend  on  the 
mother's  breaft  for  fupport.  Thofe  children  are  care 
fully  lafhed  to  the  concave  fide  of  fome  thick  bark,  or 
to  fotne  piece  of  wood  formed  for  that  purpole.  From  - 
the  wigwam  to  the  field  tivc  tender  mother  carries  herr 

babe 


*»»  APPENDIX 

babe  flung  to  her  back  ;  when  arrived,  flic  feeks  for 
fome  fure  and  trufty  prop>  to  which  fhe  ties  the  rifing, 
hope  of  her  family  in  fuch  a  manner,  and  in  fuch  a  fit- 
uation,  as  by  the  gende  wind  and  melodious  notes  of 
airy  fongfters,  tlie  child  fecurely  fleeps  until  exhaufted 
nature  roufes  the  body,  which  by  its  infantile  cries 
foon  brings  the  nurfe,  who  from  the  yielding  bread . 
fupplies  the  calls  of  nature  with  ambrofial  treat ;  this 
(drawn  through  canals  unimpaired  by  time,  or  the  more, 
dangerous  afTaults  of  intemperance,  lcjng,  multiplied  and 
haaded  down  from  mother  to  daughter)  affords  a  liquor 
at  once  nourifliing  and  falubrious.  The  tender  offs 
pring  therefore  is  reared,  corporally,  active  and  vigo 
rous  \  .the  young  and  expanding  mind,  the  better  part 
muft  h.ave  an  almoft  unbounded,  latitude,  for  growth 
when  affitled  by  the  more  accompjifhed  artifl ;  for 
want  of  this,  the  young  favage  dwindles  down  to  as 
abjeft  aftate  of  ufeleflnefs  as  the  long  cultivated  debaiu 
chee  in  (what  are  called  polite  and  well  informed 
nations. ) 

The  males  are  careful  not  to  intrude  into  the  fe 
males  company  at  particular  times,  when  obliged  fe> 
cretly  to  retire — during  the  continuance  of  certain  pe 
riodical  evacuations  to  which  the  females  are  peculiarly 
incident,  or  in  the  more  important  hour  of  nature"s 
iato  life, 

BotV 


APPENDIX,  **3 

Both  fexes  make  and  receire  vifits  .at  proper  times. 
"Whenever  a  woman  vifits  her  female  neighbour,  {he 
•enters  the  wigwam  without  referve,  and  with  an  open; 
unreferved  -franknefs,  peculiar  to  a  people  uncloged 
with  unmeaning  complimentary  Sentences,  (never  to  be 
-found  in  female  companies  of  the  more  polite,  whofe 
vifits  are  managed  with  futile  and  evafive  words  to 
little  or  no  purpofe,and  of  no  more  confequence  nor  edi 
fication,  than  whether  a  cat,  to  be  a  good  moufer,  fiiould 
be  black  or  white)  the  converfation  turns  uporv 
fubjecls  peculiarly  adapted  for  domeflic  ufe  and  nation 
al  profit,  fuch  as  the  bed  method  to  cultivate  the  foil  in 
proper  feafons — to  rear  their  tender  offspring  in  the 
beft' manner  for  future  ufefulnefs,  both  in  the  cabinet 
and  in  warlike  feats — teach  them  in  their  refpeclive 
lines,  both  male  and  female,  the  beft  and  fafeft  mode 
ef  purfuit,  which  if  perfevered  in,  will  lead  them  on  to 
honor  and  refpeftability,  both  in  their  own  nation  and 
"ivith  the  Tribes  of  the  vicinity. 

Such  is  th«  condu&  of  the  respective  nurfes  towards 
their  feveral  charges,  leaving  the  management  oi  na 
tional  concerns,  more  weighty  and  more  important  for 
national  protection  to  the  males,  whofe  bufmefs  it  is  to 
plan  and  execute  all  matters  tending  to  peace  or  war, 
In  overtures  for  peace  made  by  the  oppofmg  enemy, 
they  with  all  the  cool,  difpaffionate  attention  neceiTary 
to  determine  -fo  important  a  matte?  ^nter  on  the  fubjetf, 


104  APPENDIX. 

and  in  open  council,*  one  at  a  time  gives  his  opinion 
for  or  againft  the  propofals,  ever  keeping  their  na 
tional  honor  in  view.  But  of  this  fubjecl:  and  their 
manner  of  managing  their  wars,  muft  be  left  as  tfos 
iubje&  of  iorne  future  chapter. 


CHAP.      III. 
THEIR  METHOD  OF  RECKONING  TIME,  Sec,. 


w 


HEN  we  confider  that  the  Indians  are  totally 
ignorant  of  ailronomical  calculations,  whereby  with 
precifion  to  determine  the  regular  revolutions  of  ths 
planetary  fyftem  or  periodical  returns  of  the  revolving 
•feafons,  we  are  flruck  with  aftonifbment — when  we  are 
told  that  their  mode  of  calculation  never  fails  of  a  fat* 
isfa&ory  conclufion,  that  at  leaft  'tis  tolerable. 

They  divide  the  year  into  twelve  equal  parts,  ac 
counting  the  waxing  and  waning  of  each  moon  through 
the  year  for  one  equal  part  thereof.  They  pay  par 
ticular  attention  to  the  firfl  appearance  of  each  moon? 
and  on  the  occaficn  repeat  fome  animating  expreffions> 
heightened  by  fome  harmonious  founds.  Each  month 

through 

*The  eoaneil'eonfUts  of  all  tht  cb«fs  of    tbe  Ratio-?, 
which  aft  considerable* 


A  P  P  E  N  D  I  X. 


*h  the  year  with  them  hath  a  namo  elpre'Sfivc  of  n?; 
feaTon,     as   Mar  A,     with  them,    begins    u. 
After   the  vernal  equinox,   they  call 


March, 

April, 

May, 


} 

;:  } 

'gf<ft>  J 

Member,  '1 
ltbcr, 

vember,  J 

"  1 

;,  I 


'December 

January 

February 


Firft  fpring    moon. 
'Second  fpring   moon* 
Third  fpring  moon. 

Firft   fummer   moon. 
Second  fummer  moon. 
Third   fummer   rnoon. 

Firft  fall  or  autumnal  moon 
Second  fall  or  autumnal  moon, 
7'hird  fall  or  autumnal  moon, 

Firfl  Vv'intcr  or  frolly  moon. 
Second  winter  or  frofty  moon, 
Third  winter  or  frofty  moon* 


When  the  moon  docs  not  appear  they  fay  it  is  dead  ; 
when  it  firfl  appears  they  fay  it  is  come  to    life  again. 
They   make    no  further  divifion    of  time  into  week'., 
hours,  &c  ;  but  when  conveying  the  idea  of  a  day 
tall  it  a  fleep. 

They  arc  totally  Ignorant  of  geography,  yet  will 
draw  on  birch  bark,  charts  tolerably  cxa'ct  of  their 
•ountry,  £c.  They  direct  their  travels  in  the 


ic.6  APPENDIX. 

vviie-r.  t^e  moon  ck>cs  not  ftiine  by  the  polar  ftar.  They 

tor    ';.:  £ke  diftance  of  ORe  PJace  from  another  by  one 

of  one  day's  travel  ;  each   fleep  they  allow  to  be 

about  twenty  or  twenty-five  miles  per  day.     They  have 

no  idea  of  arithmetic. 

During  my  tarry  with  them  I  frequently  endeavour 
ed  to  inftrucl:  them  in  my  mode  of  reckoning,  but  their 
fondnefs  for  prefering  their  own,  by  counting  a  cer 
tain  number  of  beads,  prevailed  ;  I  therefore  gave  over 
any  further  attempt. 


CHAP."    IV. 

R.   MOPE  OF   GOVERNMENT,  MANNER   OF  CONVEY 
ING   INTELLIGENCE  TO  OTHLR     TRIBES   IN 
ALLIANCE   WITH  THEM,  Sec. 


JL  HE  S 


Scanyawtauragahrooote  Tribe  being  very  nu 
merous  and  warlike,  particular  care  is  taken,  both  in 
domeftic  and  diftant  operations,  when  called  fepa- 
rately  as  a  nation,  or  in  junction  with  fome  other  Tribe. 
The  peribns  who  are  chofen  to  conduct  as  chiefs  (for 
they  arc  confidered  as  fcparate  departments)  act  fep- 
aratcly.  The  one  "who  c'endudls  the  operations  of 
vrar  und  peac£,  is  one  who  has  long  been  approved 

m 


APPENDIX.  107 

in  warlike  feats,  for  he  rifes  purely  by  merit,  is  prefer- 
ed,  and  is  implicitly  obeyed,  no  one  ever  daring  to  op- 
pofe  his  mandates  ;  but  may,  when  called  upon  by  the 
chief,  give  his  opinion  on  the  heft  and  furcit  mode  oi 
advance  or  retreat. 


The  perfon  who  conduces  their  internal  police,  ia 
one  who  hath  by  long  and  often  tried  abilities  a'pprov- 
ed  himfelf  one  of  found  and  judicious  abilities  ;  moft 
likely  to  govern  without  aufterity,  partiality  or  preju-' 
dice  whatever  he  undertakes  to  decide  upon.  He  pays 
particular  attention  to  the  charge  allcdgcd  againft 
the  offender  ;  never  admits  circumftantial  evidence  as 
having  any  weight,  either  in  condemning  or  acquiting 
the  accufed.  All  the  evidence  pro  and  con,  is  impar 
tially  weighed,  and  without  favour  or  affection  decided 
upon.  Thofe  of  the  males  who  are  diftinguifhed  a*: 
above  defcribed,  are  ever  elected  whenever  'a  vacancy 
requires  a  new  choice,  never  admitting  of  hereditary 
fucceffions. 


In  their  domeftic  government,  a  number  of  perfons 
are  elected  to  execute  matters  of  lefs  confequence  ;  as  to 
put  into  execution  certain  mandates  Iffued  by  the  com 
mander  in  chief,  and  are  often  called  upon  as  afiiil- 
ants  to  the  fupreme  judge,  in  trving  and  deciding  mat* 
ters  of  life  and  death, 

Vv  hen  ever 


Vvrhenever  occafion  requires  to  fend  intelligence  £« 
diftarit  Tribes,  'tis  done  by  arranging  a  certain  num-. 
ber  of  beads  of  different  colours,  in  fuch  a  manner  as. 
to  convey  the  intended  idea  of  intelligence.  The  bead 
which  is  to  begin  the  firft  word  is  flopped  up  at  its  eyeK 
and  is  of  a  larger  fize.  A  number  of  beads  of  the  fame 
colour  are  placed  in  a  direct  line  to  the  right,  and  fo 
on,  alternately  placing  different  coloured  and  fized; 
beads  fo  as  to  convey  the  whole  of  the  propofed  in 
telligence.  The  perfons  thus  informing,  and  thus 
receiving  intelligence,  are  fufficiently  inftructed  fo  as  to. 
convey  and  receive  certain  and  infalible  intelligence.. 

Scon  after  the  death  or  refignation  of  any  one  of 
the  commanders  in  chief,  the  whole  of  the  males  af- 
femblc  for  an.ew  choice,  which,  is  made  in  open  air,  and 
id  a  convenient  place  for  that  purpofc.  The  national 
pip-;  is  brought  on,  and  a  large  block  is  fixed  in  the 
ground  at  a  fm-aH  diftancc,  on  which  the  candidate  is 
placed,  crof&legged  (for  they  fet  up  but  one  at  a  time.) 
The  matter  is  determined  by  the  number  of  perfons 
r.*ho  alternately  fmoke  at  the.  pipe  :  if  a  large  majori- 
t.y  uf.1  the  pipe  at  this  time,  'tis  determine;!  in  favour 
c.;~  ih:  fii-il  candidate,  if  otherwife,  a  fecond  's  fe:  up 
1,  and  tJi2  Tr':be  proceed  as  before,  and  fo  on 
fen  by  a  majority  of  fmokers  prefent, 

.  -i    pcrfon  is  chofen,  proclamation  is  im- 
lz    :.;   th:  perfon,  his  u.r/j   ',-;o.  qualities, 


APPENDIX  *c$ 

Jf/Bc  accepts  the  office,  all  perfons  without  diftinclion 
encircle  him;  he  then  makes  a  lengthy  fpecch,  declar 
ing  his  acceptance  and  determination  ftricily  to  adhere 
to  their  national  laws*  and  his  determiation  inviolately 
to  hand  down  to  his  fucceflbr  all  the  rights  and  cere- 
monies  peculiar  to  their  nation.  The  multitude  arc 
then  difmiffed.  The  fachem  exercifes  all  the  authority 
given  hinr  as  handed  down  by  his  predecelTbr,  .until 
bis  power-  ceafeth,  which  is  at  his  death  or  rcfignation 
©nly. 

As  it  rarely  Happens  that,  any  one  refigns  his  office, 
electioneering  but  fel«!::n  takes  place  among  them.  It 
often  happens  thaf:  ;  ag  warriors  are  called  upon 

to  affift  in  council  on  matters  of  war  or  peace.  They 
attentively  Men  to  the  arguments  for  or  again  ft  any 
propofed  queftion,  never  fpeaking  on  the  fubjcft  ;  but 
by  faying  I  approve  or  difapprove,  and  that  will  do  or 
will  not  do,  mil  ;..f>  it  un'ts  him.  The  whole  debate 
ends  by  the  large  ft  number  of  anfwers  as  above. 

The  war  and  civil  departments  are  by  their  prima 
ry  conftitution*  fo  formed,  that  one  never  interferes 
or  clafiics  with  the  other..  Each  branch  flrictly  adher- 


1*  Their  code  ct  '  .-     tre  handed   d*Uvn  inviolaTc    from  gen- 
«fation  to  gcoerativuro».ui  are  the  Tame   that    ihcir  anccltors 

Q, 

Kz 


APPENDIX. 

ing  to  the  laws  formed  to  fupport  and  to  carry  into 
effect,  the  mandates  iiFued  by  its  particular  com* 
mander  in  chief. 

Such  is  the  power  of  long  habit,  no  one  of  inferior 
rank  ever  fiiews  the  lead  reluctance  in  performing 
whatever  is  in  his  power,  fparing  no  pains  day 
nor  night,  but  cheerfully  executes  all  orders  properly 
authenticated,  even  at  the  hazard  of  his  life  j  ever  keep 
ing  it  in  his  mind,  that  to  preferve  his  own  life  and 
property,  'tis  neceflary  to  dedicate  his  own  power  and 
time  to  the  national  welfare.  However,  it  fomc  times 
(though  rarely)  happens  that  one  or  two  will  refent 
and  endeavour  to  fruftrate  the  purpofes  and  decrees  of 
the  civil  magistrate,  as  was  the  cafe  on  my  trial. 
Whenever,  fuch  conduct  is  difcovered,  the  offenders 
are  punifhed  with  death,  and  that  in  a  moil  excrucia 
ting  manner,  unlefs  prevented  by  the  delinquents  ieav* 
Jag  the  nation  for  ever  after. 


CHAP.       V. 
OF  THEIR  FEASTS  AND  DANCES. 


F 


EASTING  and  dancing,  among  the  Indians,  are 
accounted  the  moft  honorable  and  fatisfactory  paft 
time.  Nothing  is  wanted,  in  their  power  to  furnifh>  on 
public  feaib,  to  render  the  entertainment  moft  agreea 
ble  The  ' 


APPENDIX,  «** 

The  animal  food  they  ufe  principally,  is  of  the 
Buffalo,  Bear,  Beaver  and  Racoon,  with  ma»y  other 
fmall  meats,  as  their  appetite  may  direct  their  choice, 

Whenever  a  public  feaft  is  propofed  by  the  com 
mander  in  chief  of  the  civil  department,  preparation  i* 
immediately  made  in  fome  airy  and  convenient  fpot  j 
for  the  whole  Tribe  ,male  and  female,  affemble. 

A  certain  number  of  cooks  and  waiters  prepare  the 
food,  by  boiling  Bear,.  Buffalo,.  Beaver,  Deer  and 
Mbofe-rbut  above  all,  the  tail  of  the  Beaver  is  prefer- 
ed  and  ferved  up.  to  'the  commanders  in  chief.  With 
this  variety  of  meat  is  added  Indian  corn  and  beans, 
all  boiled  together  in  fuch  a  manner  that  it  is  eat,  both 
fkili  and  vegetables,  with  fpoons  only. 

The  feaft  being  prepared,  the  multitude  afiemble 
raid  form  a  circle  on  the  ground  crofslegged — in  the 
centre  the  national  pipe  is  placed,  in  a  manner  already 
defcribed.  The  two  chiefs  fit  near  the  pipe  on  blocks 
crofslegged.  A  particular  attention  is  paid1  to  them 
by  waiters  of  diftinction.  As  foon  as  may  be,  the  col 
lected  citizens  are  ferved  by  waiters  placed  on  different 
quarters,  with  the  food  in  wooden  bowls,  each  one  fep- 
arately — to  each  a  wooden  fpoon  is  added.  By  a  par 
ticular  fign  given  by  the  matter  of  ceremonies,  every 
gueft  begins  at  one  and  the  fame  time,  ever  bearing 
in  mind  never  to  crack  a  bone  which  may  fall  to  his 

fkire,  and  to  eat  all  contained  in  his  difh. 

The 


Thefeajl  ended,  they  all  rife  anc|  carry 
a  large  fire,  (prepared  fqr.  the  purpofe)  his-  bowl,  i 
which  the  bony-  contents  is  flung,  an.d  there. left  to 
confume.  This  clone,  the  bowls  and  fpoons  arc  care 
fully  fecured  in  forrve  convenient  department,  always 
ready  for  future  ufe. 

The  aflembled-  multitude  then  furround  tKe  great 
pipe,  and  (led  on  by  the  commanders)  alternately 
fmoke,  which  further  cements  the  nation.  Dancing 
now  takes  place,  which  is  performed  in  equal  dlvifional 
parties,  led' on  by  each  refpe&ive  mafter,  with  an  e* 
qual  number  of  muficians,each  furnifhed  with  the  inftru- 
ment  of  mufie  already  defcribed,  or  in  want  thereof, 
with  a  brafs  kettle  turned"  bottom  Upwards.  The 
mafic  being  well  performed,  ferves  to  animate  the 
dancers*  and  adds  much  to  the  entertainment :  each 
dancer  carefully  cbierves  time,  as  beaten  by  the 
players, 

After  dancing  for  fome  confidcrable  length  of  time, 
a  new  fcene  takes  place,  which  begins  by  fome  diilin- 
guifhed  warrior,  who  Heps  fonvard  and  in  a  loud,  vehe 
ment  voice,  harangues  the  multitude  to  the  following 
purpofe,  via. 

"  Whenever  I  view   you  in   a  collected  body,  and 
realife   your  ftrength  and  Hull  in  wielding   the  trudy 
feow  and  never  failing  arrow  j  at  the  fame  time  know 
ing 


A  P  PEN  DTK. 

ig  your  valour  in  battle,  your  unanimity  in 
am  ready  to  exclaim,  Oh  happy  nation  !  happy  be- 
-ond  the  conception  of  your  envious  neighbours  :  you 
lave  nothing  to  fear,  not  even  from  the  mod  formida 
ble  enemy,  however  famed  for  planning  and  executing 
eats  of  war. 

"Your  fituation  is  fuch,  having  good  lands  for  tillage, 
ind  hunting  ground:  fufficient  for  the  fupport  of  your 
"Umilies  at  home,  and  the  warrior  whenever  called  to 
defend  his  national,  unimpaired  liberties.  Add  to  this. 
he  great  abundance  of  filh  fwimming  in  our  rivers  and 
akes,  to  be  caught  in  the  mod  rigorous  as  well  as  the 
more  mild  feafons  of  the  revolving  year.  Go  on  my 
Brethren  to  cultivate  the  more  mild  and  harmonious 
fpirit  now  prevailing  among  you.  Let  no  root  of  bit- 
.ernefs  fpring  up  to-  choak  the  better  growth  of  peace, 
at  different  periods  fown  and  cultivated  by  your  ref- 
pe&ive  leaders.'* 

To  this  they  all  give  their  approbation,  by  whoop 
ing,  clapping  hands,  and  at  proper  intervals  pronoun 
cing  the  words,  true,  jf>u  have  told  nothing  but  the- 
truth;  united  -we  fland>  but  divided  we  fall.  Then- 
each  one  adds  Peacock  feathers,  and  other  party  col 
oured  ones  to  their  caps,  &c, 

During  the  whole  fcene  they  make  ufe  of  no  other 
liquid  to  maiden  their  throats  than  pure  water,  to 


APPENDIX. 

which  they  add  a  fmall  portion  of  Indian  meal,  made 
better  by  a  fmall  quantity  of  fSp  iugar. 

The  multitude  being  fufficiently  fatisfied  and  tired, 
the  aflembly  is  difmifled,  and  every  one  peaceably  re 
tires  to  his  or  her  wigwam. 

Feafts  of  this  defcription  never  take  place,  but  In 
times  of  public  joy.  Feafts  in  families  on  weddings,  Sec. 
lefs  ceremonies  are  often  obferved,  but  more  of  this 
hereafter. 


CHAP.      V  I. 
OF  THEIR  HUNTING,  &c* 


T 


HE  fupplies  of  the  more  fubftantial  part  of  their 
food  being  obtained  by  hunting,  'tis  neceflary  that 
a  very  confiderable  portion  of  their  time  fhould 
be  taken  up  in  this  mod  neceflary  article.  Great  care 
therefore  is  taken  that  every  rifmg  generation  of  the 
males  fhould  be  well  inftru&ed  in  this  art. 

They  are  early  taught  the  ufe  of  the  bow  and  ar 
row,  by  {Hooting  at  marks  fixed  at  a  proper  diftance 
from  the  archer.  This  is  daily  practiced  until  the  young 
pupil  becomes  a  complete  markfman,  not  inferior  to 

his 


APPENDIX.  115 

» 

iis  inftruaor.  They  are  alfo  pradiced  in  wielding  the 
omahawk,  which  is .  peculiarly  ferviceable  in  hunt- 
ng,  &c. 

The  hunting   feafon    approaching,   peparation  is 
made  for  that  purpofe  by  fixing  their  traps,  bows,  &c. 

The  firft  hunting  feafon  commenceth  about  the  firft 
November  annually,  and  continues  with  but  fmall 
intervals  during  the  winter,  until  March  :  after  this 
month,  and  fo  on  during  the  Cummer,  animals  of  every 
fpecies  are  ot  lefs  value,  whether  for  food  or  cloth 
ing,  &c. 

The  quadrupeds  they  principally  aim  at  in  hunting, 
are  the  Buffalo,  Deer,  Moofe,  Bear,  Otter,  Beaver, 
Raccoon  and  the  Porcupine.  A';  this  time  the  indo 
lence  peculiar  to  the  hunters  during  the  fummer  fea 
fon  is  loft,  and  an  active,  perfevering,  indefatigable 
fpirit  pervades  the  whole. 

They  are  fagacious  in  difcovering  the  retreat  of  the 
animal  they  propofe  to  hunt,  and  are  equally  fo  in  the 
means  ufed  to  deftroy  it.  They  can  eafilf  difcover  the 
footfteps  of  the  Beads  they  are  in  purfuit  of,  although 
imperceptible  by  every  .  other  traveller,  and  with  cer 
tainty  follow  their  prey  through  the  pathlefs  wildernefs. 

Their  particular  movements  on  this  occafion,  are 
by  a  council  in  the  previous  fammer  determined  upon, 

a? 


Hi*  APPENBIX. 

3i$  well  as  the  number  each  party  ftall  confift  of  (fa 
they  hunt  in  different  companies,  and  purfue  different 


Thtir  fci'ethod  of  hunting  the  Buffalo  hath  al- 
ready  been  defcribed.-^-Previoiis  to  each  company's 
fetting  out  on  their  different  routs,  agreeably  to  the  de 
termination  of  the  council,  every  perfom  belonging  t<* 
each  company  prepares  himfelf  by  fafting  three  days  $ 
during  which,  he  neither  taftes  of  food  nor  evea  water, 
nor  fufTers  his  dog,  who  he  propofes  to  accompany  him, 
to  eat  any  thing.  During  this  felf  denial  they  appear 
alert  and  happy. 

The  reafons  they  give  for  this  fafting,  is,  that  it. 
keeps  off  the  evil  fpirit,  and  renders  their  enterprifcs 
mod  propitious ;  that  it  caufeth  them  to  dream  what 
courfe  to  purfue  in  order  to  obtain  the  bed  and  greate& 
quantity  of  game,  &c. 

All  the  prerequifites  being  made  ready,  each  party 
fets  out  under  the  direction  of  fome  long  experienced 
hunter,  taking  with  them  their  dogs  and  a  fmall  num 
ber  of  young  archers. 

Various  methods  are  practiced  to  hunt  the  Deer  i 
fometimes  by  ihooting  him  with  the  arrow,  fometimes 
by  knocking  him  in  head  with  the  tomahawk  when  o* 
Tertakeji  in  deep  fnow  j  but  the  moft  effectual  method 

fe 


APPENDIX.  ir; 

Is  by  forming  a  triangular  fence  enclofing  a  fmall  piece 
of  meadow,  to  which  they  refort.*  This  fence  is  con- 
ttructed  of  pliable  pohs  interwoven  between  pofts  fet  up 
at  a  proper  diftance  one  from  the  other.  Within  this 
triangular  fence  fnares  are  prepared  from  the  rhine  of 
tcrtain  weeds,  not  unlike  the  nettle  of  this  country, 
fpontaneoufly  growing  with  them,  and  are  fo  fixed  that 
the  animal  coming  within  this  enclofure  cannot  retreat,, 
is  eafily  taken. 


Any  number  difcovcred  in  the  woods  are  by  the 
hunters  and  their  dogs  put  in  motion  and  dj  ove  on  un 
til  caught  by  the  fnares.  This  method  is  Icfs  expenfivc 
and  mod  fuccefsful. 

The  Moofe  is  hunted  by  firft  difcovering  his  foot* 
fteps  in  the  fnow,  which  the  hunters  with  weary  and 
perfevering  fteps  purfue  until  the  animals  are  overtak 
en  in  their  retreats  (for  they  herd  together,  fometimes 
a  large  number,  juft  as  it  happens)  which  is  called  the 
Moofe  yard,  formed  ^y  them  in  trampling  down  thefnow, 
a  fpace  fuffictcntly  large  to  contain  the  afleinbled  num 
ber.'  Here  they  t&rr'y  until  all  the  fmall  branches  of 
the  furrounding  trees  are  entirely  lopped  off  by  the 
Moofe,  or  driven  from  thence  by  the  hunters,  their 
never  failing  enemy* 

The 


*  Their  haunts   are    eafily  discovered  M"   their    trarap4ing| 
tfown  the  friow  in  queft  of  food,  tec. 


*i*  APPENDIX. 

>Tis  impoflible  truly  to  defcribe  the  agility  and  per- 
feverance  of  the  hunters  when  inperfuit  of  their  game  ; 
neither  mountains,  valleys,  fwamps,  thickets,  torrents, 
rivers,  or  even  lakes  retard  their  progrefs,  but  march 
ftrait  forward  in  the  moft  direct  line  they  poffibly  can ; 
ever  having  it  in  their  power  to  help  themfelves  with 
food  of  fmall  game,  as  the  woods  every  where  plenti 
fully  fwpply. 

The  Bear  is  caught  frequently  by  fetting  traps,  for 
they  have  no  particular  place  of  refort,  unlefs  when  in 
their  dens,  which  are  generally  the  hollow  of  fome  re 
maining  ftub  of  fome  old  tree,  or  under  fome  roots  of 
•windfalls ;  they  are  therefore  but  accidentally  dif- 
covered. 

The  method  of  felting  traps,  is  firft  to  find  fome 
old  tree  moft  likely  for  them  to  repair  to  for  winter 
.quarters  :  into  this  tree  about  fix  inches  from  the  ground 
a  hole  is  made,  into  which  a  large  plug  is  driven,  and 
at  ten  feet  in  a  direcl  line  a  ftake  is  fixed  in  the  ground 
of  about  fix  feet  in  height  from  the  plug  fixed  in  the 
tree,  to  the  top  of  the  ftake  a  heavy  pole  is  flightly 
laid  on,  and  on  either  fide  from  the  tree  to  the  ftake 
wood  is  piled  up  in  fuch  a  manner  as  to  prevent  the 
Bear's  retreat, but  at  the  entrance  a  piece  of  fifh  is  fixed 
on  the  end  of  the  pole  as  near  the  plug  as  may  be,  which 
allures  the  hungry  animal  to  the  bait,  and  as  foon  as 

touched, 


APPENDIX.  119 

touched,  the  pole  which  is  fufficiently  large  and  heavy, 
falls,  and  at  once  crufhes  the  unwary  Bear. 


The  Otter  being  an  amphibious  animal,  is  caught 
principally  by  fetting  fteel  traps  in  the  water  fufficiently 
deep  as  to  cover  the  trap  fo  as  not  to  be.  difcovered  by 
the  animal.  The  trap  is  baited  by  fifh  of  any  kind,  the 
fnore  dale  the  better.  Near  the  trap  a  flake  is  fixed, 
and  fmeared  with  the  entrails  of  fi(h,  the  more  putrificd 
the  greater  the  attraction.  The  trap  and  flake  thus  pre 
pared,  great  care  muft  be  taken  to  allure  the  Otter  to 
the  trap ;  for  this  purpofe  the  hunter  in  leav 
ing  the  trap,  goes  a  circuitous  rout  to  a  point  abrut 
one  fourth  of  a  mile  from  the  bait,  then  rubs  over  the 
bottoms  of  his  mogafcns  tainted  fifh,  thv'i  in  his  IV; ('••?* 
afons,  travels  on  in  a  flrait  line  to  the  trap  ;  this  leaves 
on  the  ground  a  fcent  fufficiently  ftrong  for  the  purpofe  : 
this  done,  the  mogafons  are  taken  off,  and  the  hunter, 
barefooted,  in  a  new  rout  returns  fully  fatisfied  with 
the  fufficiency  cf  his  trap  and  precaution,  which  fcl- 
dom  fail. 


The  Beaver  is  alfo  an  amphibious  animal,  and  of  the 
greateft  confequence  to  the  hunter,  as  well  for  food  as 
for  clothing  and  bedding.  The  tail  properly  dreffed  is 
accounted  the  moft  delicious  of  any  meat  whatever,  and 
fought  for  at  all  public  entertainments.  The  flefli  of 

the 


120  APPEN.D IX, 

the  Beaver  is  alfo  much  valued  by  the  Indians* — the 
fur  not  only  fervcs  for  clothing,  &c,  but  is  the  mote 
valuable  article  for  trade  with  the  Spaniards  of  South 
America,  with  whom  our  Indians  barter  for.  fuch  ar 
ticles  as  are  not  to  be  found  among  themfelves. 

This  fpecies  of  animals  arc  by  many  confidered  as 
under  a  particular  mode  of  government,  not  unlike  re- 
publicanifm,  rnoft  fagacious,  and  not  only  endeavour 
to  prevent  the  aflkults  of  the  Imiuers,  but  alfo  intrufions 
of  animals,  kfs  formidable.  Nothing  however  can  pre 
vent  their  regular  and  artful  mode  of  conftru<£ting  hab* 
Uations  exactly  fuited  for  their  convenience  and  comfort? 
but  more  of  this  hereafter. 

As  ihofe  animals  ever  herd  together,  every  precau 
tion  is  takenx  by  them,  to  prevent  being  taken  by  fur- 
prife  ;  for  this  purpofe  they  are  careful  to  fix  guards  at 
proper  intervals.  The  trufty  guard  give  the  earlieil  in 
telligence  to  the  community,  \vho  immediately  fecreet 
themfelves  in  a  retreat  beyond  the  fkill  of  the  intruder 
re  penetrate.  Every  precaution  therefore  is  neceffary 
to  be  ufed  by  the  hunter  to  become  fuccefsful. 

Many  methods  are  alternately  tried,  fomc.  with  ev 
ery  prerequinte,  however  fail ;  but  the  moll  approved 

mode  is  by  fetting  flesl  traps. 

In 


*  This   animal  affords  the  much  valued    Ciilor,  famed  for 
its  medicinal  qualities. 


APPENDIX.  121 

In  catching  every  other  amphibious  animal  with 
fteel  traps,  feme  bait  particularly  fuited  to  allure  the 
devoted  quadruped,  is  cautioufly  fixed  to  each  trap  ; 
but  in  catching  the  Beaver  a  quite  different  method  is 
ufed.  * 


The  hunter  on  finding  their  dam,  carefully  furveys 
its  extent  and  particular  conftruclion,  and  at  fome  con 
venient  place  in  the  dam  makes  a  fmall  breach  on  the 
upper  fide,  next  to  the  ftagnated  water,  fixes  his  trap 
nine  inches  below  the  furface  ;  this  ferves  to  catch  the 
oldeft  Beavers  firft,  and  by  this  mode  the  greater  part 
of  the  community  are  taken,  for  the  old  ones  finding 
the  water  lower  above  the  dam,  cautioufly  fend  out  the 
youngeft  to  fearch  the  breach,  and  by  reafon  of  their 
fliort  legs  fwim  over  the  trap  without  harm  ;  upon  this 
the  full  grown  ones  venture  out  and  fwim  towards 
the  breach,  and  are  taken.  As  fcon  as  the  oldeft  ones 
are  taken,  the  trap  is  placed  nearer  the  furface  of  the 
;water,  proportional  to  the  length  of  the  young  Bea 
ver's  legs,  they  alfo  are  in  like  manner  taken. 


Many  traps  are  fixed  as  above,  juft  as  the  hunters 
think  heft,  and  all  are  fixed  in  the  day  time.  At  night 
the  over  matched  animals  leave  their  retreats  to  exam 
ine  their  dam,  and  to  mend  whatever  breaches  are 
made. 

The 
L2 


nz  APPENDIX, 

The  Raccoon  is  generally  found  in  the  cavity,  formed 
by  the  ravages  of  time  in  large  trees.  As  foon  as  their 
retreat  is  difcovered,  a  trap  is  fixed  at  a  fmall  diftance 
from  the  tree,  thus,  a  femi-circular  fence  is  formed  by 
driving  into  the  ground  a  fufficient  number  of  ftakes 
at  about  three  inches  one  from  the  other  :  within  this 
fpace  a  crotched  ftake  is  fixed,  on  which  a  heavy  pole 
is  placed,  and  at  its  inmofl  extremity,  a  bait,  either  of 
fifh  or  flefh  is  placed  :  the  Raccoon  in  helping  himfelf 
to  the  bait  darts  the  pole,  which  inftantly -falls,  and  the 
hungry  animal  is  taken. 

The  Porcupine  is  often  difcovered  when  in  fearclt 
-for  food  in  the  day  time,  ever  retreating  at  night  to 
his  den,  which  is  dug  into  the  fide  of  a  hill  or  moun 
tain.  Whenever  he  is  feen  in  open  air  he  is  fhot  by 
die  archer  with  his  well  directed  feathered  arrow ; 
fometimes  he  is  found  in  his  den,  which  is  known  by 
introducing  a  long  pole  ;  the  hunter  on  difcovering  the 
animal  is  careful  to  faften  the  end  of  the  pole  into  the 
Porcupine's  hair  and  pulls  out  the  devoted  creature  to. 
the  den's  mouth,  where  he  is  fecured. 

Smaller  animals  are  occafionally  hunted,  principal 
ly  by  the  archers,  excepting  the  Mink,  Mufk-Rat,  Sa 
ble,  Fcx  and  Wolfe,  which  are  caught  by  traps  fimply 
prepared  :  the  meat  and  fur  is  fecured — the  meat  by 
fiiioJclng— the  fur  is  carefully  dried  in  the  air  and  fun* 
iiu:  in  a  proper  time  the  hunters  return  tt>  their  refpec- 

live 


APPEN0I&  i23. 

tire-htmes,  richly  laden  with  the  plunder  obtained  by 
deflroying  the  once  defencelefs  inhabitants  of  the  un* 
cultivated,  pathlefs  wildernefs. 

On  the  hunters  return  an  equal  distribution  of  game 
is  made,  which  being  often  repeated,  would  foon  en 
rich  the  Indians,  provided  they  difpofed  of  their  pi  op- 
erty  to  any  good  advantage,  but  their  being  unac 
quainted  with  the  proper  mode  of  traffic,  they  are  ea- 
fily  impofed  upon,  and  the  end  of  one  hunt  is  but  the 
beginning  of  a  fecond,  and  fo  on  during  the  hunting 
ieafon.  Neceffity,  however,  urges  them  to  practice 
hunting  as  often  as  the  feafons  will  permit,  as  their 
principal  dependance  for  fupport  is  on  the  beafts  of  the 
wildernefs ;  who  are  very  numerous,  and  during  the 
winter  (which  is  the  beft  hunting  feafon)  are  very  fat, 


In  defcribing  the  manner  of  catching  the  animals 
there  particularly  mentioned,  I  omitted  defcribing  the 
Kianner  of  catching  the  Fox, and  although  not  in  order, 
in  this  place  for  the  benefit  of  hunters  in  this  country, 
I  here  give  it. 

The  Fox  is  the  moft  fnbtil  and  difficult  to  catch  of 
any  animal  whatever ;  therefore  the  greateft  care  and 
fccrecy  is  neceflary  to  be  cbfcrved  to  take  him.  He  is 

catched  in  a  ftee!  trap, 

Pre  v . 


124  APPENDIX.  * 

Previous  to  fetting  the  trap,  'tis  necefTary  to  allure 
the  Fox  near  feme  convenient  place  where  you  propofe 
fetting  the  trap :  carry  to  the  fpot  a  quantity  of  the 
entrails  of  fome  animal,  no  matter  of  what  kind — con 
fine  the  bait  by  tying  it  to  fome  tree,  here  let  it  remain 
until  the  Fox  by  the  fcent  will  difcover  it,  perhaps  the 
firft  night  after  the  bait  is  prepared.  As  foon  as  the 
hunter  difcovers  that  the  Fox  has  eaten  part  of  the  bait, 
he  will  then  fet  his  trap  at  about  five  paces  from  the 
bait.  Before  the  trap  is  fet,  it  fhould  be  rubbed  over 
with  the  liver  of  fome  animal — while  among  the  In 
dians  I  ufed  Deer's  liver,  fmce  my  return  to  Canada,  I 
have  ufed  Hog's,  which  is  much  the  beft.  The  liver 
mud  be  boiled,  and  left  the  Fox  fhould  difcover  the  trap 
by  the  fcent  left  on  from  the  hunter's  hands,  he  is  care 
ful  to  put  on  a  pair  of  leather  gloves,  and  then  rub  the 
boiled  liver  over  every  part  of  the  trap,  and  on  the  bot 
tom  of  his  fhoes  or  mogafons,  and  is  careful  not  to 
touch  any  thing  near  the  trap  without  his  gloves  on  ; 
then  he  takes  a  quantity  of  the  fame  kind  of  liver,  ba 
ked  in  the  afhes,  or  which  is  beft,  in  the  oven  (Tf  it  can 
be  done)  to  fuch  a  degree  as  to  pulverife  it :  this  pow 
der  is  fprinkled  over  the  hunter's  tracks  to  and  from  the 
trap,  for  the  Fox  is  caught  with  more  eafe  when  the 
fnow  is  deep.  The  track  mud  be  made  from  the  firft 
fixed  bait  to  and  over  the  trap.  A  piece  of  white  birch 
bark  is  placed  on  the  trap,  or  which  is  better,  with 
clean  paper,  if  to  be  procured  j  this  prevents  the  fnow 

from 


^  APPENDIX.  125* 

from  gathering  over  the  trap,  which  might  prevent  it 
from  fpringing.  Great  care  muft  be  taken  to  place 
feme  part  of  the  liver  under  the  trap  to  prevent  it 
from  finking  too  deep  in  the  fnow. 

The  hunter  may,  if  he  choofes,  allure  Foxes  from 
any  other  quarter  to  his  trap,  by  walking  with  his 
fljoes  on,  prepared  as  above,  towards  his  trap  from  his 
neighbour's  traps  not  properly  prepared. 


CHAP.       VII. 
OP  THEIR  WKAPONS  FOR  WAR, 

OF    CoNQVCTINq    TH.E1R    WARS,    &C. 


JL 


NDIAN3  in  general  are  tenacious  of  their  rights 
and  priviledges,  jealous  of  their  neighbours,  left  at  any 
time  they  intrude  on  hunting  ground  not  their  own,, 
(for  each  Tribe  hath  a  particular  piece  of  land  align 
ed  it,  as-well  for  tillage  as.  hunting.)  Some  Tiibes 
have  a.  larger  extent  of  territory  than  others.  The 
Tribe  to  which  I  belonged,  pofTeded  hunting  ground 
extending  not  only  throughout  the  ifland,  but  on  the 
main  alfo,  fome  part  far  diftant  from  our  village  ; 
therefore  often  trefpn/Ted  upon  by  the  neighbouring 
Tribes,  This  being  the  cafe.,  our  nation  always  ware 

(excepting 


126  APPENDIX. 

(excepting  in  hunting  feafons)  planning  and   carrying 

on  war,  or  receiving  overtures  for  peace   from  fomc 
Tribe  or  other. 

As  Indians  are  naturally  fprightly,  enterprifing  and 
indefatigable,  and  of  a  reftlefs,  uneafy  make,  add  to 
this  their  jealous,  fufpicious  temper  ;  they  feem  peculiar 
ly  fitted  for  war  and  really  delight  in  its  operations, 
however  rigorous  and  doubtful. 

The  yearly  trade  our  Indians  carry  on  with  the 
Spaniards  (as  hath  beenobferved)  gives  them  opportu 
nities  fufficient  to  furnifh  themfelves  with  fire  arms  and 
ammunition,  which  the  Indians  are  careful  to  keep  in 
readinefs,  prepared  at  all  times  to  repel  invafions,  or  to 
carry  into  effect  a  plan  of  warlike  operation  with  ibme 
diftant  Tribe. 

The  Tomahawk  and  fcalping  knife  alfo,  are  arti 
cles  peculiarly  ufeful,  efpecially  when  clofely  engaged 
with  the  enemy. 

They  are  careful  not  to  burden  themfelves  with 
baggage  unnecefTary  ;  carrying  from  home  but  a  fmall 
quantity  of  provifion,*  unlefs  the  nation  they  propofe 

to  contend  with  are  at  a  great  diftance,  in  fuch  a  cafe, 

what 


*  Sometimes    killing    fmall  game  with    the  arrow,  not  diT- 
charging  their  gun,  left  it  fhould  alarm  the  enemy, 


APPENDIX.  127 

•what  provifion  they  carry  they  depofit  in  fome  fecret 
hiding  place  the  greater  part, ready  for  fupply  if  obliged 
fuddenly  to  retreat,  which  but  feldom  happens  with 
our  nation* 

Befides  the  weapons  above  defcribed,  our  iflanders 
fometimes  ufe  the  bow  and  arrow  on  particular  occa- 
fions  :  their  chief  dependance  being  on  the  fire  arms  and 
tomahawk. 

Their  movements  previous  to  their  march,  confult- 
ing  the  Powow  or  praying  Indian,  &c.  &c.  hath  in  the 
memoirs  been  fufficiently  defcribed  ;  however,  I  would 
here  obferve  that  in  their  marches  they  make  as  little 
noife  as  pofllble,  and  whenever  they  travel  over  land 
whereon  their  feet  make  any  impreflion,  they  are  care 
ful  to  cover  fuch  foot-fteps  previous  to  their  departure, 
left  the  enemy  fhould  thereby  difcover  their  route  and 
numbers. 

Their  treatment  of  their  captives  is  ever  practiced 
as  defcribed  in  the  before  cited  pafiage — The  return 
of  the  warriors  to  the  village  is  announced  by  their 
whooping,  as  often  repeated  as  they  have  recovered 
prifoners  and  fcalps.  Thofe  who  tarry  at  home  re 
ceive  them  with  the  ceremonies  ufual  on  like  occafions. 

The  prifoners  are  paraded,  when  fuch  fquaws  as 
have  loft  huftands  and  fons  in  that  expedition,  are  per- 

mitted 


128  APPENDIX. 

mitted  to  choofc  out  fo  many  as  to  fupply  the  number 
loft ;  who  are  afterwards  confidered  as  adopted  chil 
dren,  and  treated  every  way  as  children  of  the  families 
to  whom,  by  the  chiefs,  they  are  given. 

If  any  prifoners  remain  after  the  above  mentioned 
diftribution,  they  are  executed  in  the  ufual  mode,  by 
burning  at  the  (lake. 


CHAP.      VIII. 

ON  THEIR  METHOD  OF  MAKING  PEACE  WITH 
OTHER  TRIBES. 


A 


.LTHOUGH  Indian  wars  are  conduced  with 
great  fpirit  and  cruelty,  yet  the  contending  powers,  af 
ter  a  long  fcene  of  bloodflied  and  deftrudion  of  prop 
erty,  one  or  more  powers  when  greatly  reduced,  fue 
their  opponents  for  peace  ;  each  party  relu&antly  make 
the  firft  propofal.  That  Tribe  who  firft  make  them, 
fend  three  of  their  nation,  who  are  men  of  integrity 
and  of  confequence  to  the  nation ;  who  carry  with 
them  a  letter  formed  by  beads,  recommending  their 
perfons,  declaring  the  purpofe  for  which  they  vifit  the 
power  who  have  been  contending  with  them.  They  alfo 

carry 


APPENDIX*  *2* 

<:arry  a 'belt  of  wampum.*      Wherever  this   belt  ap 
pears,  its  bearers  are  treated  with  refpeft. 

It  fometimes  happens  that  overtures  for  peace  art 
Ihiade  by  the  mediation  of  fome  power  in  alliance  with 
that  power  to  whom  propofals  are  made;  this  mode 
generally  proves  the  moft  fuccefsful,and  feldom  fails  of 
its  de  fired  effect 


The  envoys  with  their  wampum,  immediately  on 
their  arrival,  repair  to  the  head  quarters  of  the  nation, 
;(to  whom  they  are  fent)  which  is  the  feat  of  the  com 
mander  m  chief  of  tile  war  department,'  who  immedi 
ately  fends  for  his  privy  council  -j  to  them,  in  -pre&nce 
of  the  captain  general,  the  foreign  minifters  are  intro 
duced,  who  deliver  the  wampum,  letters  miffive, 
which  are  in  an  elevated  voice  read  by  a  perfon  fkilled 
in  hyeroglyphical  modes  of  conveying  intelligence,  &c. 
On  this  the  envoys  are  ordered  to  retire  fcr  a  flicrt 
time  ;  when  the  chief,  with  his  council,  takes  the  fub- 
jecl  into  confideration,  deliberately  weighing  the  good 
and  evil  confequences  that  may  infue  on  their  rejecting 
the  propofals,  alfo  the  confluence  of  listening  to  the 
preliminaries  about  to  be  made,  ever  keeping  their  na 
tional 


*  Wampum  is  a  belt  of   Moofe  hide,  on    which  bca •." 
artfully  flrungi  and  confidercd  as  a  peaceful  token, 

3ME 


APPENDIX. 

tional  honor  in  view  on  both  fides  of  the  queftion,  lay. 
ing  afide  all  fmifter  views  as  of  no  weight  when  com 
pared  with  public. 

If  the  council  are  willing  to  Men  to  the  proposals, 
the  envpys  are  called  in  and  the  -bufmefs  goes  on  ;  if 
.odierwife,  the  flrangers  are  ordered  immediately  to  de 
part  with  their  peaceful  belt  to  their  own  Tribe,  and  fo 
the  matter  ends,  and  the  war  is  carried  on  with  greater 
vigor  than  ever  ;  but  if  otherwife,  the  principal  fpeak- 
er  of  the  envoys  conies  forward  and  makes  «a  (peech  to 
the  following, purpofe,  viz. 

"  Great  -Chief,  fon  of  the  great  warrior^  father  of 
a  great  and  powerful  nation,  commander  of  the  big 
ifland,  happy  in  governing  a  nation  not  to  be  con 
quered  ;  whofe  councils  are  able,  faithful  to  the  trufl 
repofcd  in  them  by  the  potent  Scanyawtauragabroootc 
Nation.* 

**  I  count  Tnyfelf  happy  in  being  intruded  with  my 
faithful  colleagues  with  a  mefHige  fo  important,  fo  hap 
py  in  the  event  (if  rightly  conducted)  to  both  nations  ; 
in  making  our  propofals  we  have  not  our  national  good 
folely  in  view,  but  alfo  the  weal  of  the  Scanyawtaura- 

^ahrooote  Nation  we  have  Ion?  contended  \vith.' 

War, 


The  fpcaker  appears  to  Matter,  and  atttmptj  ?B  gain  th? 
opinion  <oF  the  oppofltc  fide, 


APPENDIX.  131 

"  War,  although  neceilary  fometimes,  hath  a  tend* 
cncy  not  only  to  interrupt  the  internal  good  order  of  a 
nation,  but  alfo  to  depopulate  and  impoveriih  the  op- 
pofmg  nations.  Willing  that  your  Tribe  with  ours 
might  once  more  realife  the  happy  efFecls  refulting 
from  a  peace  founded  on  equal  ground,  we  now  ap 
pear  to  make  our  terms,  and  are  willing  to  lif- 
tcn  to  your  propofals ;  we  therefore  aik  for  a  par 
ticular  time  and  place  appointed  for  this  very  impor 
tant  purpofe — we  wait  your  anfwer." 

The  orator  having  clofed  his  fpeech,  he  and  his 
brethren  again  retire,  when  the  chief  in  council  ap 
points  a  day  and  place  further  to  confult  and  to  make 
and  ratify  articles  of  peace  ;  all  this  the  ambaffadors 
are  notified  of* 


The  day  arrived,  the  oppofite  parties  meet,  every 
article  is  feparately  taken  up  and  feparately  voted  to 
pafs  or  not,  which  is  determined  by  a  majority  of  votes 
en  both  fides.  All  debates  clofed,  and  articles  fully 
adjufted,  the  whole  Scanyawtauragnhrooote  Nation 
are  called  together  for  their  approbation  or  dtfappro- 
bation  of  the  peaceful  articles.  If  approved  of,  which 
rarely  happens  to  the  contrary,  then  the  often  men 
tioned  national  pipe  is  brought  forward,  placed  in  the 
manner  before  defcribed  ;  then  the  next  in  command 
to  the  fagamore  fills  the  pipe  with  tobacco  mixed 

with 


332  APPENDIX. 

with. a. certain  weed,  ufed  commonly  with  tobacco—*. 
lights  the  pipe— ^the  chief  advances  and  takes  the  firfl 
whiff ;  then  the  ftrangers,  followed  by  the  principal 
officers  of  the  nation;,  then  by  the  whole  nation, 
feven  at  a  time,  which  is  a  retification  of  peace.  Af 
ter  this  the  envoys  are  difmifled  and  bear  a  belt  of 
wampum  from  our  nation  to  theirs,  leaving  theirs 
with  us,  which  are  kept  by  both  nations  as  facred  de- 
pofits  and  fore  tokens  of  peace. 

The  nations  thus  forming  a  peace,  are  confidered- 
as  in  alliance  with  the  Scanyawtauragahrooote  Nation  ; 
and  when  called  upon  by  them  to  aft  in  connexion, 
whether  in  an  offenfive  or  defenfive  manner,  never  fail. 
And  fo  whenever  the  other  allied  nations  call  upon  ths 
Scanyawtauragahrooote  Tribe,  they  in  like  manner 
afiift  their  friendly  neighbours. 

This  ftate  of  harmony  between  friendly  nations* 
continues  for  a  great  length  of  time,  and  as  a  mean  of 
ftrengthening  the  friendfhip,  the  belts  or  wampum  ufed 
in  forming  the  alliance,  is  frequently  exchanged  by  one 
nation  to  the  other,  which  ferves  further  to  cement  the 
friendly  Tribes  with  "each  other. 

Some  very  extraordinary  ill  conduct  in  on£  Tribe 
againft  its  neighbour,  in  alliance,  muft  take  place  be 
fore  the  harmony,  formed  by  exchang.  of  wampum, 

can 


APPENDIX,  133 

can  be  broken.  Whenever  fuch  conduct  does  take 
place,  that  nation  who  are  inftrumental  in  breaking 
the  harmony,  immediately  bring  upon  themfelves  war 
with  all  its  horrors,  which  are  by  their  offended  neigh 
bours,  executed  with  the  utmoft  rigor  ;  infomuch>  that 
a  total  depopulation  of  the  offending  nation  with  its 
property,  fometimes  is  the  confequence. 


G  H  A  P.       IX. 

OF     THEIR      DiV-ERSION  3. 

JL  HE  Indians  are  often  at  leifure,  and  have  many 
opportunities  of  gratifying  their  paffions  for  different 
kinds  of  diverfion,  as  playing  ball,  running,  leaping, 
(hooting  with  the  bow  and  arrow,  throwing  the  tom 
ahawk,  &c. 

In  playing  at  ball,  they  form-  themfelves  into 
companies  of  about  twenty  each- — felecling  feme  lev 
el,,  fmooth  piece  of  ground,  moll  Mutable  for  this  pur- 
pofe.  Each  company  is  divided  into  two  equal  pnrt5, 
and  a  bet  is  laid,  ccnnfting  of  a  certain  number  of 
bioaches,  as  by  the  parties  agreed  on,  to  be  delivered 
to  the  victors.  As  the  broaches,  previous  to  the  game, 

are 
M  2 


134  APPENDIX. 

are  delivered  into  the  hands  of  fome  trufty  byftan$e*y 
that  fide  which  gains  the  victory  never  fails  of  receiv* 
ing  it. 

Their  balls  are  made  in  an  orbicular  form  of  Buf 
falo's  hair,  and  covered  with  leather  of  Moofe  hide.-^ 
The  inftrument  with  which  they  flrike  the  ball,  is  about 
four  feet  in  length — in  form  like  a  filhhook.  That 
part  defigned  to  (Irike  the  ball  is  interwoven  with 
the  fmews  of  Deer,  which  (on  linking  the  ball)  by 
reafon  of  its  elafticity,  fends  it  to  a  much  greater  dif- 
tance  than  if  (Iruck  by  a  flick  prepared  as  in  this 
country. 

The  .perfon  who  (bikes  the  ball,  flands  near  to  a 
hols  formed  in  the  ground,  to  which  another  ftanding 
at  a  diilance,  aims  to  trundle  the  ball,  into  which  (if 
not  prevented  by  him  who  holds  the  (lick)  it  will  fall, 
and  then  the  gamefter  gives  up  his  (lick  to  fome  other 
of  his  fide,  and  fo  the  game  goes  on  until  the  whole 
.lumber  chofen  on  both  fides  have  alternately  gone 
•Jirough  the  fome. 

At  the  clofe,  the  perfon  to  whom    the  broaches  are 

delivered,  having  kept  an  exacl  account  of  the  number 

of  times  they  on  ftriking  the  ball  run  from  the  hole   to 

ke  fixed  at  a  certain  diftance  as  agreed  upon,  while 

-ccovers  the  ball  every  time  it  is  flruck  on 

both 


APPENDIX,  13  j 

fides,  £ttd  that  fide  in  whofe  favour  the  perfon 
to  whom  it  is  left  gives  the  preference,  receives  the 
broaches,  and  thus  the  game  ends. 

Running  matches  are  frequently  formed  among 
them ;  at  fuch  time's  a  large  number  collecl:,  when  a 
certain  mark  is  made  on  the  ground  from  which  the 
combatants  take  their  departure  ;  they  run  to  a  mark 
made  in  the  ground  at  fuch  a  diftance  from  the  fir  ft 
mark  as  by  the  company  is  determined  upon.  The 
race  commences  fometimes  by  two  only,  but  often  of  a 
larger  number,  jiift  as  it  happens.  The  wager  is  made 
by  depofiting  a  certain  quantity  of  broaches  into  the 
hands  of  fome  indifferent  perfon,  who  gives  them  to 
him  who  firft  croffeth  the  laft  fixed  bounds,  near  which 
the  man  who  determines  the  conteft  ftands.  The  run 
ners  lay  afide  every  part  of  their  clothing  that  may  in 
the  leaft  retard  their  motion.  The  vidor  receives  the 
applaufe  of  the  multitude,  and  is  honored  by  their 
fongs  and"  inftruments  of  mufic  as  performed  on  all  pub 
lic  rejoicings. 


Leaping  is  alfo  publicly  attended  to,  and  is  by  fome 
one  indifferently  chofen  for  that  purpofe,  who  receives 
the  number  of  broaches  the  parties  agree  upoa  (for 
bets  at  all  times  of  diverfion  confift  of  broaches  only.) 
He  who  on  a  level  plain  leaps  the  greateft  number  of 

paces, 


136  APPENDIX* 

paces,.takes  the  broaches  and  receives  the  plaudits  of  the 
multitude,  as  on  all  other  public  diver/ions  and 
decifions. 


The  ufe  of  the  bow  and  arrow  Is  of  fo  much  con- 
fequence  to  the  nation,  that  great  pains  are  taken,  early 
to  inftruct  the  youth  in  this  art,  defigned  for  hunters 
and  warriors ;  for  this  purpofe,  a  certain  number  of 
good  mar kfmen  are  affigned  as  inftru&ors,  \vho.  daily 
lead  forth  a  certain  number  of  boyg,  and  by;  repeated 
trials  they  become  mafters,  and  can  with  exaclnefs 
ftrike  a  mark  fixed  at  a  reafenable  diilance.  Hence 
this  diverfion  of  fhooting  at  marks,  to  be  decided  in 
public,-  which  is  determined  in  the  fame  manner  as 
before  mentioned  of  playing  at  ball,  Sec. 

The  proper  mode  of  ufmg  the  tomahawk  is  of  as 
much  national  confequence  as  the  proper  ufe  of  the 
bow  and  arrow ;  therefore  fimilar  pains  are  taken  to 
inftruct  in  the  latter,  as  in  the  former  art* 

The  perfon  who  throws  the  tomahawk,  holds  it  in 
a  perpendicular  pofition  with  its  pole  or  (hank  outwards, 
the  edge  towards  his  body,  and  with  as  much  force  as 
the  wielder  is  capable  to  give,  the  weapon  fties,  turn 
ing  the  handle  over  the  better  part  a  number  of  times, 
proportional  as  the  didance  of  the  object  hi  from  him 

who 


who  throws  this  cruel  weapon.  When  thrown  by  an 
able  markfman,  it  rarely  fails,  to  ftrike  the  deftined  ob- 
jecl,  whether  man  or  beaft, 

Thofe  who  are  rnoft  expert  in  this  noble  art,  fre 
quently  banter  each  other,  and  on  public  days  bets  of 
broaches*  are  made  and  given  to  him  who  excels, 
which  is  determined  as  in  the  former  cafes. 


The  before  mentioned  diversions  are  as  often  re 
peated  as  fancy  leads  the  idle  favnge.  Some  ether  di 
verfions  are  alfo  frequently  practiced  by  them  :  fuek 
as  angling  in  the  rivers  or  ponds  near  the  fhore  for 
fmall  'fifli,  which  of  themfelves  afford  but  fmall  profit, 
The  larger  rivers  and  lakes  abound  in  fifh  of  the  largeft 
fize  in  frefh  water,  fuchas  Sturgeon*  Pike,  &c. 

CHAP, 


*  Broaeses,  either  oi  gold  orfilver,  arc  the  principal  Indian 
srnatnent,  and  lb  much  efteemed  by  them,  that  'tis  common 
for  one  to  pofTefs  five  hundred,  and  fome  one  of  the  chiefs  can 
command  one  thoufand  at  a  time,  mad«  by  ihe  Spaniards  ai 
Tart'arrac,  and  fold  to  the  Indians  in  exchange  for  tto 
ginfang,  &c, 


138  APPENDIX. 

CHAP.    x. 


THEIR  MANNNER  OF    COURTSHIP*     MATRI 
MONIAL    CEREMONIES,    &c. 


N. 


O  Nation,  whether  civilized  or  not  (that  I  have 
ever  read  or  have  any  knowledge  of)  ever  have  totally 
omitted  certain  ceremonies  to  be  ufed  in  joining  the 
male  to  his  female  ;  although  it  rarely  happens  that 
any  two  nations  make  ufe  of  the  fame  form  for  one 
and  the  fame  purpofe  j  that  is,  in  forming  a  new  and 
endearing  connection  between  two  perfons  of  oppofitc 
fexes,  under  the  character  of  hufband  and  wife. 

Some  of  the  Indian  Tribes  (as  I  was  informed, 
when  on  my  return  to  Canada)  proceed  to  the  mar 
riage  ceremony  without  any  previous  acquaintance,  or 
even  the  confent  of  the  parties  ;  but  with  the  Scanyaw- 
tauragahrooote  Tribe  'tis  quite  otherwife,  for  previous 
to  marriage,  a  courtfhip  takes  place  between  the 
man  and  woman,  who  are  afterwards  married. 

Whenever  a  Tingle  man  wifnes  to  form  an  acquain 
tance  with  any  particular  female,  he  pays  the  family, 
to  whom  fhe  belongs,  avifitin  the  evening;  if  (he  hap- 
pfns  to  be  at  home,  after  a.  fhort  introductory  conver- 
fation  with  the  father,  he  fixes  his  eyes  upon  the  female 

he 


APPENDIX,  135 

fce  propofes  to  form  a  new  connexion  with.  After  fet- 
ting  without  uttering  one  word  for  feme  confiderable 
time,  he  then  takes  a  ftick  of  about  four  inches  in  length 
( for  he  always  at  fuch  times  carries  three  (ticks  with 
him)  and  throws  it  into  her  lap;  (he  knowing  the  in 
tention,  carefully  fecures  it ;  he  then  after  a  fhort  in 
terval  throws  a  fecond  ftick,  and  then  'the  third — fhe 
fecures  the  whole  number  ;  this  done,  the  man  imme 
diately  retires  and  leaves  the  family  to  their  wonted 
repofe.  Then  on  the  next  fucceeding  evening  lie  vifits 
the  fame  family,  and  in  the  fame  mariner  fpends  his 
time,  not  forgetting  to  leave  the  fame  number  of  fticks 
as  above,  and  fo  the  next  fucceeding  night,  performing 
the  fame  ceremony.  The  third  and  laft  evening,  the  fe 
male  having  received  nine  flicks  ;  if  fhe  approves  of 
his  fuit,  carefully  keeping  the  whole  number,  runs  im 
mediately  out  of  the  wigwam,  followed  by  her  lover,  to 
a  fhort  diflance  from  the  habitation,  when  a  ftiort  dia 
logue  between  them  takes  place  ;  then  each  retire  to 
their  own  wigwams  ;  but  if  fhe  difapproves  of  his  fuit, 
e  on  the  third  evening  throws  the  nine  flicks  into  her 
fuiter's  face,  and  fo  the  matter  ends.  If  his  vifits  are 
approved  of,  her  parents  make  preparation  to  folem- 
nize  the  marriage,  which  is  performed  the  firft  day  af 
ter  concluded  upon  in  a  convenient  place  in  open  air- 


APPENDIX. 

feafting  and. dancing,  with  fiich  mufic  as  is  commonly 
ufed  on  public  rejoicing  :  but  previous  to  this,  the  mat 
rimonial  ceremony  takes  place,  which  is  thus  performed  : 
the  lovers  are  feated  crofslegged  on  the  ground,  direclly 
oppofite  one  to  the  other,  their  fcnees  touching  each 
other ;  this  done,  the  fathers  of  the  young  couple  come 
forward  with  a  blanket  in  their  hands,  which  they 
gently  place  over  the  young  candidates,  then  the  mul 
titude  form  a  circle  round  them,  to  which  the  parents 
alfo  join ;  then  after  a  fmall  fpace  the  txvo  father* 
come  to  the  young  couple,  and  taking  hold  of  the  two 
•oppofite  corners  of  the  blanket  utter  a  few  fignificant 
words,  as,  we  wifk  you  joy,  'tis  our  wifh  that  you  may 
live  long  and  peaceably  together  ;  that  your  offspring 
may  be  numerous  ;  that  you  may  be  an  honor  t6  your 
nation  ;  that  your  children  may  by  good  citizens,  and 
that  their  children  may  alfo  honor  their  country,  fup- 
port  its  rights,  and  invrolately  hand  do%vn  their  nation 
al  priviledges  to  the  future  rifmg  generations.  The 
blanket  then  drops,  the  fathers  join  the  encircled  multi 
tude  ;  then  the  mothers  approach  the  happy  couple, 
and  raife  the  two  oppofite  corners  of  the  blanket,  un* 
touched  by  their  hufbands,  and  in  language  fifnilar  to 
that  delivered  by  their  hufbands,  for  a  moment  addrefs 
the  young  and  rifing  hopes  of  their  family  honor  j 
this  done,  the  mothers  join  the  multitude,  when  a 
dance,  honored  with  the  national  mufic,  concludes  th^s 
ceremony.  The  male  and  his  female  conforming  to 

this 


APPENDIX.  14* 

tais  mode,  are  now  and  ever  after,  fo  long  as  they  live 
confident d  as  man  and  wife. 

It  fometimes  happens  that  the  propofed  couple  are 
deftitute  of  parents  ;  in  this  cafe  four  perfons,  confifting 
of  an  equal  number  of  both  fexes,  are  by  the  propofed 
couple  felefted,  and  on'  the  matrimonial  ceremony,  ap 
pear  and  aft  the  part  affigned  the  parents  on  the  fame 
occafion. 

Polygamy  is  here  tolerated,  and  every  time  the 
male  wifhes  to  add  a  new  female  to  his  bed,  he  con- 
fents  to  the  ufual  ceremonies,  which  are  as  often  repent 
ed  as  he  admits  a  new  partner. 

In  thofe  families  where  a  plurality  of  wives  are 
found*,  there  appears  a  perfect  harmony  among  the  fe 
males,  each  one  endeavouring  to  recommend  herfelf  to 
the  goed  will  of  her  lord  and  mailer,  the  hufband  and 
head  of  the  family. 

Adultery  is  not  known  among  them ;  jealoufy  there 
fore,  is  a  ftranger.  Fornication  however,  is  punifhed 
thus :  the  female  when  found  guilty,  is  by  the  aged 
matrons  roughly  handled,  by  cutting  the  delinquent'?- 
hair  as  clofc  as  may  be  to  the  head,  then  fhe  is  oblige  d 
to  take  her  paramour -by  his  right  hand,  and  in  this 
manner  the  two  delinquents  are  drove  through  the 
village.  On  this  occafion  the  populace  treat  them 
with  the  greateft  indignity,  hooting  and  throwing  dud 

at 
N 


APPENDIX. 

at  them,  and  in  every  contemptuous  manner  treaty 
-them  as  they  pafs.  This,  however,  but  feldom  happens, 
The  female  delinquent  is  ever  after  treated  by  her 
friends  and  acquaintance  with  neglefh 

As  foon  as  may  be  after  a,  young  couple  are  married* 
the  whole  nation  afTemble,  and  clear  a  certain  piece  of 

land  aifigned  them  by  the  chiefs  for  their  future 
improvement.  The  trees  (landing  on  this  land,  wheth 
er  large  or  fmall,  are  removed  root  and  branch  in 
tlie  following  manner. 

The  roots  running  from  each  tree  is  carefully  fepa- 
Tated  from  the  trunk;  then  a  large  rope,*  fufficiently 
long  land  flrong,  is  fixed  near  the  centre  of  the  bo 
dy,  at  each  extremity  of  this  rope  a  number  of  ftrong, 
hearty  pearfons  are  placed,  who  by  ftrength  pull  down 
rind  carry  off  the  trees  until  the  whole  piece  of  land  is 
properly  cleared  and  ;£t  for  tillage. 

The  young  bride  remains  one  year  with  her  parents 
after  marriage,  by  this  time  her  hulband  recovers  on<; 
•crop  from  his  patrimony. 

The  male  children  have  names  given  them  by  the 
rath --r,  the  females  by  the  mother ;  thofe  names  arc 
without  any*  ngniicancy,  and  are  givea  merely  to 
diilinguifh  one  child  from  the  other  while  m  a  (late  of 

minority. 

*Th'S  rope  is  rr.arcle  cf  the  rhiac  of  a  tree  called  white-wood. 


APPENDIX.  143 

minority.*  Whenever  they  perform  any  feat  worthy 
of  public  note,  whether  in  hunting,  gaming,  or  in  the 
more  noble  art  of  war,  they  then  receive  new  and  fig- 
nificant  names,  fuch  as  Buffalo,  Bear,  Fox,  Deer,  Bea 
ver,  Tyger,  Porcupine,  Otter,  &c  ;.  fometimes  fome  rep 
tile-  or  infect,  whatever  animal,  the  a£ion  the  perfon 
performs  (hall  moil  referable.  Some  one  who  excels 
others  in  fubtility,  is  called  Fox  ;  another  xvho  excels 
in  ingenuity  and  induftry,  is  called  Beaver  :  a  man  ot 
fliort  legs,  and  of  a  fnarling,  touchy  difpoikion,  they 
call  Porcupine:  one  of  a  long  neck  and  long  1^ 
is  called  Turkey,  &c. 

Every  head  of  a  family  prides  himfelf  in  the  num 
ber  of  children  he  hath  in  his  family  ;  for  this  purpcfe 
he  marries  as  many  women  as  he  can  fupport  by  hi;; 
hunting,  aided  by  their  induilry  and  ceconomy, 

The  parents  are  remarkably  fond  of  their  children, 
efpecially  while  in  their  infantile  (late.  Nothing  can 
exceed  the  mother's  attachment  to  her  infant  ;  _flie 
takes  unwearied  pains  to  nurfe  it,  never  omitting  any 
means  or  pains  to  prevent  its  being  unufeful  when  corn 
ing  into  an  active  life.  As  foon  as  born,  fhe  plunges 
it  in  cold  water,  and  as  often  afterwards  as  is  neceffa- 
ry  repeats  it  —  flie  is  careful  to  prevent  its  limbs  from 

def^imity 


They  are  confidered  in  this  fiate  until  they  are  inarn'cd, 
generally,  among-  the  young  people,  takes  place  be- 
tKe  "age  of  fourteen  and  twenty. 


144  APPENDIX, 

deformity  by  lacing  the  young:  and  pliable  body  to  fome 
piece  of  wood  or  bark  exa&ly  fitted  for  this  purpofe* 
This  motherly  fondnefs  continues  until  the  child's  new 
relation,  in  a.  conjugal  ftate  takes  place. 


CHAP.      XI. 

OF     THEIR     RELIGIOUS    TtNETS,       MODE'S      OF 

WORSHIP,  &c. 

JL  HE  ScanyawtauragahrooQte  Indians  hold  to  a- 
plurality  of  Gods,  as  the  fun,  moon,  fevcn  flars,  north 
or  polar  ftar.  They  alfo  fuppofe  that  evil  geniufes,  or 
bad  fpirits  more  or  lefs  effect  their  national  and. private 
operations.  To  the  fun,  however,  they  give  the  pref 
erence  ;  ever  on  its  riling  and  fetting,  paying  homage 
by  bowing  &c.  towards  it,  in  token  of  fubmifilve  de- 
pendance  on  its  power. 

The  moon  and  ftars  are  confidered  as  fubordinate 
power-,  and  take  their  authority  from  the  fun.  The 
znobn  on  its  firtl  appearance,  whether  in  the  wane  or 
tncreaf?,  is  particularly  attended  to.  When  itfirft  ap- 
p -a:.-  in  its  full  orbit,  nothing  can  exceed  the  joy 
which  pervades  the  whole  village — fhouting,  dancing, 
•v:.l  ^yrry  other  mode  of  exulting  is  frcn  and  heard  a- 


APPENDIX-  145 

mong  the  inhabitants,  ejaculatory  prayers  are  intermix- 
ed,  ailcing  the  moon's  interefl  with  the  fun,  praying 
that  he  would  be  propitious  to  them,  in  giving  them 
fuccefs  in  hunting.,  tilling,  their  lands, .&c. 

The  ftars  areconfidered'as  having  rule  at  night  in 
the  abfence  of  the  moon  ;  the  Indians  therefore,  pray 
that  they  would  ufe  their  influence  with  the  fun  as  fu- 
prexne  ;  that  he  would  haften  the  return  of  the  moon, 
continue  its  luftre  and  influence  longer  than  at  one  tims 
heretofore  ;  that  the  ftars  would  prefide  over  their. 
traps,  give  fuccefs  to  their  endeavours  to  catch  th^ 
Beaver,  Fox,  Wolfe,  and  all- other  animals  taken  by 
traps  during  .the  night  feafon... 

They  hold  that  certain  evil  fpirifs  have  power  to 
counteract  the  good  influence  of  the  fun,  moon,  ~£c  5 
that  they  can,  and  often  do  reveal  fecrets  to  the  Pow*- 
ows  or  praying  Indians..  Thofe  Powows  arc  always 
confulted  on  public  enterprifes,  firch  as  going  to  war^ 
&c.  The  inhabitants  fuppofe  the  Powows  hold  a  fecret 
correfpondencc  with  thofe  evil  geniufcs. 

How  thofe;  praying  Indians  come  by  this  ferret  pow 
er,  I  am  at  a  lofs  to  determine,  although  when  among 
them  I  made  all  the  enquiry  into  this  matter.  The.  mari 
ner  of  the  Powow's  religioufi  ppcraliotts  hath  already 
been  fully  deferibed. 

The 


146  APPENDIX. 

The  Indians  appear  in  their  religious  principles  to 
he  rude,  and  for  want  of  a  knowledge  of  the  fcriptures 
of  divine  revelation,  but  a  finall  remove  above  the  bru 
tal  creation,  not  having  even  a  faint  idea  of  any  powes 
necelFary  to  exift  before,  and  fuperior  to  the  fun,  moon, 
$cc.  iu  order  to  create  them.  ... 
« 

In  inftances  of  earthquakes,  heavy  thundier  and 
lightning,  they  fay  it  is  becaufe  the  fun,  moon,  or  ftars 
are  angry ,becaufe  they  have  omitted  paying  their  hom 
age  to  one  or  all  of  their  deities,  or  have  not  in  the 
bed  manner  improved  their  hunting  feafonsr  or  have 
not  (through  their  own  neglecl)  improved  any  advan 
tage  they  have  at  any  time  gained  over  their  enemies 
In  battle,  &c. 

If  it  happens  that  earthquakes  are  not  fo  often  re 
peated,  as  for  the  moft  part  is  the  cafe  among  them, 
they  fay  their  Gcds  are  in  friendfiiip  with  them,  and 
that  they  have  nothiag  to  fear  from  their  enemies,  and 
cheerfully  pafs  away  time,  not  even  entertaining  any 
notion  of  a  (late  of  future  rewards  or  puniffunent ;  but 
that  death  puts  an  end  to  the  difficulties  attendant  on 
this  life  ;  that  the  hunter  fiiall  no  more  be  obliged  to 
travel  fo  far,  and  faffer  fo  much  as  he  now  does  in  pro 
curing  food,  &c.  for  himfelf  and  family  ;  that  the  (late 
«n.  which  they  enter  at  the  dole  cf  this  life,  is  every 
•«ray  better  calculated  to  make  them  happy  9  that  good 

hunting 


APPENDIX.  J47? 

Kuntfog  lands,  crowded  wjth  animals  of  the  ferft  quali 
ty  and  ta  the  greatfcfi  plenty  and  perfection,  are  there 
enjoyed  ;  that  hunting  in  the  new  country  will  not  be 
fatiguing,  but  delightful  and  profitable,  beyond 
cat  conception* 


CHAP.      XI L 
Or  THim  DISEASES,  METHOD  OF  CURE,  See. 


i 


N-gdjieral,  Indians  are  healthy,  and  are  but  feldom* 
•ui§te4'by  the  Doctor — Many  diieafes  to  which  thofe. 
nations  are  -^cident,  who  pride  themfelves  in  being  cal* 
led  civilized,  are  not  known  among  the  Indians,  and  ev 
er  will  be  ftrangers  with  them  fo  long  as  luxury  and 
floth  are  not  introduced  into  that  uncivilized  country ; 
however,  the  many  hardOiips  and  fatigues  they  endure 
in  hunting,  or  war ;  their  being  expofed  to  the  inclem 
ency  of  the  changing  feafons ;  their  often  fafting  and 
gratifying  their  appetites  whenever  a  plenty  of  food 
tempts  them,  with  many  other  inckknta!  caufes,  often 
bring  on  a  variety  of  difeafes,  fuch  as  pains  of  the  head, 
ftomach,  and  limbs  j  but  the  Kiofl  prevalent  diforder  to 
•which  they  in  general  a#e  incident,  is  the  pkaiify  or 
pulnicakk 


END  IX. 

In  cafes  of  ficknefs  and  pain,  they  always  apply  ttf 
the  old  experienced  fquaws,  \tho  are  their  dolors. — Iq 
the  pleurify  the  6rft  trial  the  (quaw  makes  to  remove 
the  diforder,  is  to  bleed  the  patient ;  this  is  done  nearly 
in  the  fame  manner  as  pei formed  by  doctors  in  this 
country,  which  is  by  winding,  a  fmall  cord  round  the 
patient's  arm  above  the  elbow,  and  opening  a  vein  by 
a  fharp  flint.  This  is  done  in  a  mafterly  manner,  my- 
felf  having  been  operated  upon  feveral  times  during  my 
tarry  with  them.  The  doctor  then  proceeds  to  a  fu- 
doriffic  mode  of  cure  (if  phlebotomy  does  not  effect  a 
cure) 'which  is  thus  performed- j  a  number  offtakes  are 
drove  into  the  ground,  forming  a  fpace  fufficiently  large 
as  to  contain  one  body  only,  with  the  necefFary  furni 
ture,  &c.  Thofe.ftakesare  fet  fo  clofely  together,  as 
by  weaving  in  between  them  certain  pliable  twigs,  air 
is  totally  excluded  above  as  on  all  fides.  Into  this  en- 
clofure  two  large  rocks,  previoufty  made  very  hot 
are  placed; -on  to  thofe  rocks  water  is  frequently- 
thrown:  the  patient  at  the  fame  time  being  confined 
within  this  enclofure>  here  tarries  for  one  hour,  which 
brings  on  a  free  and  plentiful  perfpiration  ;  in  this  ftate 
the  patient  plunges  himfelf  into  cold  water  fo  deep  as 
at  once  to  cover  his  whole  body. 

This  method,  however  inconfiftent  it  may  appear 

to  practitioners  in  this  country,  is  invariably  ufed  by  the 

.',  female  pra^itioncrs  among  the  Indians*  and  is  vaid  to  bt 


*> 

APPENDIX.  149 

in  general  fuccefsful,  when  followed  by  internal  medic 
inal  decoctions  of  herbs,  &c. 

Dropfical  and  paralytical  complaints  are  rarely  (if 
ever)  known  among  them.  Wounds  made  in  war,  or 
by  any  other  accident,  are  frequent  with  them  ;  in  fuch 
cafes  the  fquaws  act  the  furgeon's  part, who  by  external 
applications  of  herbs  and  roots,  fpontaneoufly  growing 
with  them,  and  familiarly  known  to  the  furgeons,  are 
applied,  and  never  fail  of  a  perfect  cure.  The  method 
of  cure  in  the  bite  of  the  Rattle  Snake,  hath  been  defcrU 
bed  in  the  memoirs.. 

Sometimes  the  patient  fuppofes  that  his  dlforder 
arifeth  from  the  malice  of  evil  fpirits  ;  in  this  cafe 
the  Po wows  are  corJuhed,  who  enquire  in  their  ufual 
way  of  the  caufe  and  mode  of  cure,,  which  is  by  the 
phyficians  particularly  attended  to- 
All  the  phyficians*  and  furgeons'  prefcriptions,  arc 
founded  on  their  knowledge  of  fimples  only,  which  are 
taught  them  by  long  experience  and  indefatigable  at^ 
tention  to  their,  operations.. 

The  females  in  the  hour  of  nature's  ftruggle,  meet 
with  but  little  or  no  difficulty,  being  always  delivered 
alone,  and  without  the  aid  of  any  one  of  her  female 
friends,  or  any  other  perfon.  This  to  feme  may  ap 
pear  a  falfe  reprefentation,  tut  however  ftrangc,  'ti» 

perfectly  true,  t 

C  H  A  P* 


•150  APPENDIX 

CHAP.      X 1 1 1. 

INDIAN  FORTITUDE  m  A    TRTING   HOUR, 
THE  MANHER.  OF  BURYING  THEIR  DEAD,  &c. 


H 


.OWEVER  terrible  the  near  approach  of  deatk 
may  be  to  the  greater  part  of  mankind,  caufing  the 
animal  frame  to  fhudder  even  at  the  idea;  of  difTolution> 
the  Indian  meets  this  laft  enemy -with  as  much  compo- 
fure  as  though  he  was  not  the-  perfon  defigned  to  en 
counter  this  never  failing  conqueror  ;  even  -when  de 
clared  by  his -phyfkian,  that  any  further  attemps  to  ref- 
tore  him  to  health,  would  be  fruitlefs,  makes  no  vifi- 
ble  imprefHon  en  the  dying  man,  but  with  compofure 
he  receives  the  laft  vifits  of  his  friends  and  acquaint 
ance,  who  "aflemble  round  their  departing  friend,  and 
never  omit  to  refrefh  his  memory  with  a  recital  of 
fome  of  the  moft  diftinguifhed  traits  of  his  conduct  in 
hunting  and  war  ;  alfo  the  great  advantage  his  family 
in  particular,  and  the  nation  in  general  might  receive 
from  him  if  he  was  to  centinue  for  any  greater  length 
of  time  among  them  ;  add  to  this  the  lementations  ut 
tered  by  his  neareil  connexions,  make  no  impreffion  ; 
but  with  heroic  boldnefs,  as  he  was  wont  to  meet  his 
Qppoiing  enemy  in  the  field  of  battle*  he  receives  the 
laft  words  of  .his.  frkircfs,  and  with-  £qroal  compofure, 
£rft  ad-drefieth.  feimfelf  -iQ>  lus  fani%  in  general, .  then 
to1  his'vriuing  friends*;  laftly  to  her  .who  he  expecls  to 
;  •  »  ta.ke 


APPENDIX.  15* 

take  care  of  and  guide  the  children  he  may  leave  in  a 
(late  of  minority  and  dependance.  To  his  family  he 
gives  council  and  directions  how  they  ought  to  conduct 
themfelves  to  gain  the  good  will  of  the  nation,  and  to 
gain  the  approbation  of  their  national  Deities  ;  that 
they  muft  confider  themfelves  as  about  to  aft  (each 
one  according  to  the  ftation  of  life  in  which  they  are 
placed)  with  equal  fidelity  and  honor  the  part  that  he,t 
their  father,  hath  before  them  acted,  both  as  a  good 
hunter  and  fuccefsful  warrior  ;  that  in  all  their  conduct 
they  muft  keep  their  national  honor  in  view,  ever  fac- 
rificing  their  own  private  interefts  for  the  public  good, 
whenever  called  thereto.  He  then  addreffeth  himfelf 
to  his  intimates  prefent ;  tells  them  that  a  retrofpec- 
tive  view  of  his  and  their  conduct,  when  called  to  war; 
their  fortitude,  ftrength  and  fkill  in  directing  the  ar 
row,  in  handling  the  trufty  firelock,  and  never  failing 
tomahawk,  gives  him  peculiar  fatisfaction ;  that  his 
own  conduct  while  in  active  life,  will  entitle  him  to  a 
free  and  lure  palTport  at  death,  into  a  country  far 
-better  than  the  country  they  now  enjoy  ;  that  in  that 
-country,  hunting  is  continued  through  the_  twelve 
moons  j  that  the  bed  of  game  is  always  to  be  had 
without  any  fatigue  or  difappointmcnt  to  the  hunter, 
or  his  trufly  dogs  ;  biBs  his  friends  ftrictly  to  adhere 
to  the  wholefome  and  well  fabricated  rules,  calculated 
to  fupport  their  national  honor,  as  handed  down  by  their 
fathers ;  that  they  alfo  muft  hand  them  down  to  their 

pofterity, 


TS*  APPENDIX. 

pofterity,  with  a  particular  charge  to  their  children,  that 
they  do  the  fame  to  theirs  ;  that  the  generations  yet 
unborn  may  reap  the  benefit  of  fo  valuable  a  bequeft 
ae  their  national  rights,  &c. 

To  his  wife  he  makes  his  laft  fpeech,  and  endeavours 
to  encourage  her  in  performing  the  duty,  which  on  his 
death  muft  be  greatly  incfeafed  ;  that  her  reward  for 
fter  good  fervices  will  afiuredly  be  .given  her  in  com 
mon  with  the  nations  in  the  other  world,  at  which  the 
faithful  will  arrive.  In  this  calm,  converfable  manner 
the  favage,  without  one  groan  or  flruggle,  yields  his 
fcreath  as  conquered.  As  foon  as  the  body  becomes 
lifelefs,  preparation  is  then  made  for  its  burial  in  the 
following  manner, 

It  is  flretched  out  on  fome  (kins  of  animals,  fuf- 
ficiently  large.  Round  the  dead  man's  neck  is  fixed 
by  a  ftnng,  his  fcalping  knife,  leaving  his  head  and 
neck  bare — round  liis  body  his  blanket  is  wrapped,  and 
confined  by  the  broaches  he  was  at  his  death  po/Tcfled 
of,  with  all  his  other  ornaments.  Thus  prepared  for 
interment,  his  neighbours  affemble,  and  make  ready 
his  grave,  which  is  dug  in  fome  convenient,  retired 
place  and  unfit  for  tillage,  in  a  perpendicular  form, 
fufficiently  large  to  contain  the  body,  the  deceafed's 
gun,  a  quantity  of  ammunition,  his  bow  and  arrow,  his 
tomahawk,  which  they  fuppofe  he  will  want  to  gain  a 
living  ia  the  future  ftate.  The  grave  then-  is  lined 

with 


APPENDIX.  i51 

with  feme  thick  bark;  then  the  body  is  carried 
without  any  ceremony  or  order,  and  in  an  erect  pof- 
ture  placed  in  the  prepared  gnive,  with  the  imple 
ments,  covered  over  with  bark  ;  over  "which,  earth  is 
carefully  laid  on,  fufficiently  high  as  to  diftinguifh  th« 
grave  from  the  furroundiixg  earth,  All  prefent,  both 
"Friends  and  neighbours  follow  the  corps  without  dif- 
tinclion  or  order ;  tarry  until  the  funeral  fevices  are  per 
formed,  then  in  the  fame  confuted  -manner  return  each 
one  to  their  refpeclive  homes. 

At  any  time  after,  whenever  the  fpirits  of  the  fur- 
•viviftg  Friends  are  raifed,  they  afTemble  round  the 
'grave,  there  dancing  an'd  whooping  in  a  rnoft  exfrava- 
'gant  mariner ;  anil  then  recite  over  the  extraordinary 
Teats  performed  by  the  deceafed  when  living.  This 
concludes  the  fcene,  when  all  retire  to  their  wonted 
employment  and  diverfions. 


C  H  A  i5.      XIV. 

GENERAL  CHARACTER  OF  THE  "SCAKYA\VTAT;R"A- 
GAHROOOTE 


I 


.N  all  civilized  nations,  oppofite  characters  are  to  be 
round.    Some  appear  mild  and  calm  on  every  occafion  ; 
Nothing  however   gloomy  or  terrifying  to  others  h:ith 
'any  III  effect  on  them  :  others  appear  in  every  circum- 
O  Aunc^ 


154  APPENDIX. 

&ance  of  life  uneafy,  churlifh  and  difcontented,  whether 
in  profperity  or  adverfity,  nothing  appears  to  pleafe 
them,  even  the  occurrences  of  common  Providence 
-difaffe&s  them  ;  at  times  they  are  ready  to  fay  that  fuch 
and  fuch  events  are  the  refult  of  wrong  calculations. 
Such  characters  are  to  be  met  with  in  all  orders  of  men. 
The  farmer  will  frequently  difcover  this  by  faying 
the  feafon  is  too  wet  or  too  dry,  too  hot  or  too  cold  ; 
if  in  the  winter,  they  fay  (if  the  feafon  be  favourable 
for  bufi-nefs)  that  all  work  and  no  play  makes  Jack  a 
dull  boy  ;  if  the  feafon  be  otherwife,  they  fay  my  cat 
tle  are  eating  my  provender  without  any  profit,  &c» 
This  complaining  fpirit  appears  to  prevail  more  or  lefs 
among  people  who  pretend  to  an  uncommon  fhare  of 
philoibphic  knowledge  :  but  among  the  Indians  who 
have  not  the  advantage  of  education,  this  ipirit  does 
not  appear  fo  much  to  prevail. 

The  character  of  an  Indian,  is  a  compound  of  fe 
rocity  and  gentlenefs ;  they  are  at  once  led  away  by 
-jj.ifilon,  &  at  the  fame  time  pofTeis  virtues  that  would  do 
honor  to  people  of  more  refined  tafte  :  they  will  difcov 
er  a  niL-fl  diabolical  temper  in  executing  fuch  prifoners 
.as  are  deiliaed  to  fuffer,  at  the  fame  time  will  {hew  all 
the  compaffioir  and  tcndernefs  in  their  power  towards 
thofe  whofe  happy  lot  it  is  to  be  felecled  from  the  num 
ber  of  prifoners,  and  are  adopted  by  thofe  fquaws  who 
have  loft  their  friends  in  battle.  Such  inftances  I  have 
known  when  among  them  j  no  pajns  are  omitted  that 

are 


APPENDIX.  155 

are  rieceflary  to  make  fuch  perfons  as  happy  as  Indian 
accommodations  can  afford. 

I  myfelf  have  experienced  much  of  their  kmdnefs, 
although  not  taken  in  battle  ;  yet  as  a  ftranger,  both 
in  ficknefs  and  in  health.  They  ufed  every  mean  in  their 
power  to  mitigate  my  forrows  on  my  firft  arrival  a- 
mong  them, 

Nothing  can  exceed  their  fpirit  of  refentment, 
•whenever  their  honor  is  touched.  They  never  pafs  by 
an  affront  with  impunity  ;  but  will  watch  night  and 
day  in  fome  fecret  place,  near  which  the  oiTender  is 
likely  to  pafs,  and  all  this  without  food  or  even  fleep 
for  two  days  and  nights  together  ;  and  will  make  their 
way  through  pathlefs  deferts,  with  no  other  fuilenance 
than  what  accidentally  falls  in  their  way,  to  be  reven 
ged  en  an  enemy. 

Whenever  the  father  of  a  family  is  called  to  be  ab- 
fent  from  his  family  for  any  great  length  of  time,  on  his 
return  he  is  not  unmindful  of  his  connubial  and  paren 
tal  feelings,  but  with  open  heart  and  unfolded  arms 
meets  his  family,  and  with  a  degree  of  unaffected  fatis- 
faclion  receives  the  congratulations  of  them  on  his  fafe 
return  to  his  wigwam  ;  will  entertain  them  with  a  par 
ticular  recital  of  all  the  events  that  have  taken  place 
during  his  abfence,  whether  for  or  againft  him,  and 
•with  a  fatisfaclion  no  lefs  pleafing,  will  be  attend  to  a 


recital  made  by  his  wife  and  children  of  thofe  events 
that  took  place  among  them  during  his  able  nee. 

Nothing  can  exceed  an  Indian's  attachment  to  his, 
nation,  on  all  occalions  wljen  called  to  council  or  to 
battle.  When  public  honor  or  injereft  is  at  ftake,  the 
whole  take  the  alarm,  and  act  as  if  actuated,  by  one  foul, 
All  private  intereft  is  confidered  as  of  no  weight  when 
compared  to  national  honor. 

Jbeing  acciiftomeu  to  hardfnips  from  their  youth., 
they  will  furmount  every  obftacle  however  hazardous ; 
even  the  near  profpeS  of  death  will  not  abate  their  zeal 
when  about  to  execute  the  commands  of  their  leaders, 
whether  in  battle  with  ilieir  enemies  or  in  hunting. 

It  frequently  happens  that  in  their  long  marches, 
pro viilon. falls  fhort  with  them  ;  in  this  cafe  not  a  mur 
muring  word  is  heard  among  them  :  the  pleafmg  prof- 
peel  they  entcrtiiin  of  fuccefs  in  their  enterprise  allays 
the  calls  of  nature.  This  they  will  endure  for  fome 
days,  unlefs  relieved  by  taking  fome  game  which  pre- 
ients  when  on  their  march,  for  they  never  turn  aficla 
from  their  propofed  route,  but  keep  as  ft  rait  and  direct 
a  courlb  towards  the  deftined  place  as  poffible,  however 
rreat  the  calls  of  nature  may  be. 

I  have  known  them   on  fuch  marches  to  be   fo  far 
reduced  for  want  of  food,  that  they  have    been  obliged  . 
to  eat  reptiles,  frogs,  &c,  and  that  in  a  raw  ilate  ;  fome- 

limes 


APPENDIX,-  157, 

times  for  want  of  this  unfavoury  food,  they  will   de 
vour  the  leaves  and  rind  of  trees  as  they  pafs  alongk 

The  Indians  are  remarkably  generous  to  Grangers  • 
who  vifit  them,  whether  on  public  bufmefs  or  acciden 
tal  ;  the  heft  df  their  food  is  unrefervcdly  fet  before 
them,  and  they  are  bid  a  cordial  welcome  to  every  con 
venience  in  the  power  of  the  family  to  help  them  to 
to  allay  their  hunger,  or  to  gratify  their  pafiions  dur 
ing  their  tar»y,  whether  longer  or  Ihorter. 

The  foregoing  relation  of  the  different  prevailing 
ptiffions  reigning  irrthe  bread  of  the  Scanyawtauragah- 
rooote  Indians  muft  fuffice  to  give  the  reader  an  idea 
of  their  character, 


C  H  A  F.      XV. 

A  PARTICULAR    DESCRIPTION  OF  THE 

BIRDS,  FISHES,  REPTILES  AND  INSECTS,  WHICH 

ARE  TO  BE   MET  WITH     ON,   ANI>'  IN  THE 

VICINITY  OF  SCANYAWTAURAGAH- 

ROOOTE  ISLAND. 


thefe  I  fhall  treat  in  alphabetical  order  •  and 
firft  of  the  quadrupeds,  Bear,  Beaver,  Buffalo,  Cat  of 
the  Mountain,  or  Wild  Cat,  Deer,  Dbg,  Fox,  Hare, 
Hedgehog  or  Porcupine,  Marten,  Mink,  Moofe,  Muili- 
quafh,  Moufe,  Mole,  Otter,  Porcupine,  Rabbit,  Rac 
coon,  Skunk,  Squirrel,  Tiger,  Weafelj  Wo  ad  chuck  and 

Wolf  Bears 

02 


158  APPENDIX. 

Bears  are  to  be  found  in  great  plenty  in  this,  as  well 
as  in  many  other  parts  of  America.  The  hunting  of 
this  animal  is  much  attended  to  for  food,  clothing  and 
bedding  :  the  flefh  is  efleemed  the  firft  of  any  to  be 
found  in  the  \vildernefs,  both  for  its  flavour  and  mild- 
nefs.  What  adds  much  to  recommend  this  diet,  is, 
that  it  never  cloys ;  a  perfon  making  a  meal  of  it  one 
day  may  feed  heartily  upon  it  the  next,  and  fo  on  (if  to- 
be- obtained)  for  one  month  or  longer.  Such  is  its  fa- 
lubrious  quality,  that  it  is  highly  recommended  by 
practitioners  to  the  invalid,  us  it  fits  eafy  on  the  ftom- 
ach,  and  of  eafy  digeflion.  With  the  inhabitants  of  the 
interior  parts  of  New-England  'tis  much  prized,  as  .it 
fupplies  them,  \vhen  falted,  with  meat  but  little  inferi 
or  to  pc-k.  With  the  firft  fettlers,  where  pork  cannot 
be  procured,  'tis  of  the.  firft  confequence,  for  in  a  plen 
tiful  fupply  they  are  enabled  to  execute  plans  the  mofl 
arduous  among  them.  Among  the  Indians  'tis  of  n-o 
iefs  confequence  ;  their  method  of  fmoking  meat  (as 
hath  already  been  defcribed)  ferves  to  preferve  large 
quantities  of  this  food  for  fupply,  •when  hunting  fea- 
fons  are  over. 

The  fkin  of  the  Bear  is  alfo  of  value  among  the  In 
dians,  as  their  beds  and  forne  part  of  their  clothing  con- 
fin  of  thofe  fens.  The  fat  is  much  ufed  by  the  In 
dians  ;  they  frequently  rub  it  over  their  bodies,  efpeci al 
ly  over  their  limbs  ;  to  this  they  attribute  their  agility. 
Bear's  greefc  is  ufed  by  them  to  facilitate  the  growth 

of  the  hair  on  their  heads. 

This 


APPENDIX.  1-5$ 

This  animal  is  fo  well  known  in  this  country,  that 
x minute  defcription  of  its  bulk  or  colour. when  fully 
grown,  or  when  in  a  y-oung  ftate,  is  here  needlefs ; 
however,  I  would  oSferve  that  this  much  valued  ani 
mal  produces  but  two  Cubs  at  a  litter,  and  but  once  in 
one  feafon,  which  is  not  fo  with  fome  other  quadrupeds 
ofthisweftern  continent.  And  what  is  particularly 
noticed  of  the  Bear,  is,  that  during  the  winter  it 
refts  in  its  fafe  retreat  in  a  dormant  ftate.  On  its  firft 
taking  pofleHibn,  it  is  careful  to  (lop  or  plug  up  the 
moft  material  outlet  of  its  body,  with  a  certain  gum  or 
gluy  fubftancc  taken  from  the  pine  or  hemlock  tree. 
In  this  ftate  they  are  often  found  with  one  of  its  hind 
paws  in  its  mouth,  and  what  is  worthy  of  note,  the 
Bear  is  then  the  fatteft  and  moft  profitable  to  the  hunter. 

The  Beaver  is  an  amphibious  animal,  and  delights 
much  in  water  :  they  are  to  be  found  and  caught  in  or 
near  this  element. 

Much  has  been  faid  and  published  on  the  fmgtilar 
qualities  of  this  valuable  animal,  and  if  rational  or 
thinking  qualities  may  with  propriety-  be  confidered  as 
making  apart  of  a  quadruped's  inherent  faculties,  the 
Beaver  firft  claims  the  right ;  for,  as  hath  in  this  work 
been  already  noticed,  they  are  by  fome  authors  faid  to 
be  in  a  ftate  of  republicanifm  ;  having  myfelf  been  an 
eye  \vitnefs  to  their  manner  of  conftructing  their  dams, 
*,vhich  with  peculiar  pleafure  I  often  attended  tr 


APPENDIX. 

moonlight  (when  with  the  Indians)  for  they  are  ffioft 
induftrious  by  night  as  well  as  by  day,  unlefs  interrup- 
ted-by  feme  accident,  or  by  the  near  approach  of  foms 
more  fatal  enemy, 

Their  firfl  movement  (after  collecting  a  fufficient 
number  for  the  purpofe)  is  to  find  out  and  determine 
upon  fome  convenient  place  as  well  for  conftrucYmg 
their  habitations  as  for  food  ;  this-muil  be  a  fmall"  rivu 
let,.  furrounded  with  a  plenty  of  timber  fuitable  to  build 
a  dam  from  fhore  to  .fliore  to  flop  the  running  water  ; 
this  being  unanimouily  determined  upon  by  the  com- 
munity,  each  citizen  hath  his  particular  part  affigned 
him  to  act,  whether  as  a  labourer,an  overfeer,*  or  in  the 
more  important  office  of  councillor. 

All  the  prerequiiites  being  adjufted,  the  bufmefs 
commences,  and  is  conducted  by  the  ftncleft  rules  of  in- 
duftry  and  ceconomy.  The  younger  and  more  robuft, 
whofe  teeth  are  beft  calculated  to  perform  the  wood 
cutter's  part*  affemble  round  the  handled  trees  ;  to  each 
a  fufficient  number  is  placed  as  can  work  without  in 
terruption*  They  are  careful  to  gnaw  the  tree  fo  as  that 

it 


aft  in  this  office,  are  very  attentive  to  their 
bufinefs,  for  when  any  who  are  employed  to  fall  trees,  &c, 
are  idle  (For  this  fometimes  happens)  an  overTeer  with  his  tail 
will  correft  the  idler,  which  is  done  to  fo  good  a  purpofe 
that  the  bufihefs  goes  on  with  more  life;  the  idler  on  being 
corrcfted,  more  clofely  attends  to  his  part  of  duty, 


APPENDIXo  i<u 

fall  towards  the  rivulet.  Asfoon  as  the  tree  is 
fallen,  they,  whofe  bufiners  it  is,  take  an  exadl  meafure  of 
the  diftance  from  flpre  to  fliore  ;  the  trunk  of  the  tree- 
is  then  m;afured,  and  at  a  fujtable  length  is  gnawed 
off;  when  others  arc  employed  to  carry  the  prepared 
limber  to  its  place  of  depofit.  The  woodcutters  go 
on  to  prepare  more  timber  as  above  related. 

Their  manner  of  dr-aging  timber  is  by  their  tails, 
thus,  a  fuitable  number  for  tjie  purpofe  place  their  tails 
all  on  one  fide  of  vhe  timber,  while  others  on  the  oppo- 
ilte  fide  gently  role  the  timber  on  to  the  prepared  vehi 
cles  ;  thus  fixed,  the  timber  is.  drawn  forward  to  the 
fpot,  and  there  placed.  They  proceed  in  the  fame 
manner  until  a  number  fufficient  for  their  purpofe  is 
drawn  en.  and.  placed  ;  then  a.,  number,  appear  and  act 
the  mafon's  part,  who  with  their  tails  as  with  a  trowel 
pl^fter  on  between  the  timber,  interwoven  with  fmall 
branches  of  the  felled  trees — the  morter  ufed  is  prepar? 
ed  by  the  Beaver's  feet.  They  alfo  carry  upon  their 
tails  rocks  of  very  confiderafne  weight,  further  to 
flrengthen  their  dam?* 

Having  completely  Moped  tke  running  water,  they 
then  proceed  to  form  their  cabins,  or  lodging  places  ; 
thefe  are  conftruded  in  an  oval  form,  and  arc  built 
either  on  piles  by  them  formed  in  the  pond  above  the 
Beaver  dam>  or  on  the  extremity  of  fome  point  of  land 
running  into  the  pond.  The  greater  part  of  the  cabia 

ftands 


z6*  APPENDIX. 

ftands  above  the  water.  Each  cabin  is  fo  large  as  to 
contain  a  number  of  inhabitants  j  each  one  hath  a 
particular  foot  affigned  it,  the  floor  of  which  is  ftrewed 
over  with  leaves  or  fmall  branches  of  pine  trees.  Their 
cabins  are  fo  nearly  fituated,  that  an  eafy  communica 
tion  is  kept  up  between  them.  The  floor  of  the  cabin 
is  fe  conftrueted  that  the  mnermofl  part  is  fix  or  eight 
inches  higher  than  at  the  entrance  ;  the  Beaver  then 
in  laying  down  keeps  his  body  dry,  while  his  tail  is  kept 
in  the  water,  for  it  muft  be  kept  wet,  otherwife  the 
animal  is  fickly.  The  manner  of  the  Beaver's  laying 
down  in  his  cabin,  accounts  for  this  animal's  knowing 
that  fome  breach  is  made  in  the  dam,  which,  as  hath 
been  defcribed,  gives  the  hunter  an  opportunity  of  catch 
ing  his  game  ;  for  when  the  water  is  drawn  off,  the  an 
imal's  tail  is  dry,which  gives  its  owner  a  reftlefs  feeling, 
and  increafeth  to  fuch  a  degree  as  to  eaufe  the  Beaver 
to  rifle  his  life  in  fearching  out  the.  caufe,  and  itt  repair 
ing  the  breach. 

Their  habitations  are  completed  by  the  latter  end 
of  September,  and  their  flock  of  provifion  to  ferve  them 
through  the  whiter  is  provided.  Their  provifion  con- 
fifts  of  fmall  pieces  of  wood  whofe  texture  is  fcft,  fuch 
as  puplar,  willow,  &c.  which  they  lay  tip  in  piles  in 
fuch-  a  manner  as  to  prefervc  their  moifture, 

.The  Beaver  being  an  animal  but  feldom  feen  but 
bf  fchofe  who  bunt  them,  I  {liall  here  defcribe  it,  Ths 

largeit 


APPENDIX.  163 

largeft  are  nearly  four  feet  in  length,  and  about  fifteen 
inches  over  the  haunches  ;  they  weigh,  one  with  anoth 
er,  when  fully  grown,  about  fifty-five  or  fixty  pounds. 
Its  head  refembles  that  of  the  Otter — its  fnout  is  long — 
the  eyes  fmall — the  ears  fiiort,  round,  hajpry  on  the  out- 
fide  and  fmooth  within — its  teeth  very  long  ;  the  under 
ones  ftand-out  of  their  mouths  about  one  inch,  the  upper 
teeth  about  one  fourth  of  an  inch  ;  all  are  broad,  ftrong 
and  fharp  ;  the  under  teeth  before,  are  formed  like  a 
carpenter's  gouge,  and  feem  peculiarly  formed  to  fall 
trees,  Sec— their  fore  legs  are  fiiorter  than  their  hind 
ones — their  toes  in  the  fore  feet  are  feparate,  each  toe 
furnilhed  with  a  nail — its  hind  feet  are  furnilhed  with 
membranes,  which  join  their  toes  much  like  unto  the  feef 
of  water  fowl,  thus  prepared  it  can  fwim  with  as  much 
edfe  as  any  other  aquatic  animal.  The  tailinfomemeafure 
refembles  that  of  a  fiCh,  and  feems  to  have  no  relation  to 
any  other  part  of  the  body,  except  the  hind  feet,  all  the  o- 
ther parts  being  fimilar  to  other  land  animals.  The  tail  is 
about  twelve  inches  In  length,  and  about  four  inches 
broad  in  the  middle,  the  root  and  its  extremity  being 
much  narrower  ;  *tis  about  two  inches  thick  near  the 
body,  xvhere  it  is  almoft  round,  but  gradually  thinner 
and  flatter  towards  the  end*  'tis  covered  over  with 
fcales  like  unto  thofe  of  fifh.  The  colour  of  the  Beaver 
differs  according  to  the  different  climates  where  they  are 
found.  In  the  northern  parts  they  are  almpft  black — in 
the  more  temperate  climate,  brown.  Their  colour 
grows  lighter  as  they  approach  towards  the  fouth. 

Their 


Their  fur  is  of  two  forts,  all  over  the  body,  except  die 
feet — the  longeft  is  about  one  inch  and  of  no  value,  the 
other  part  is  a  very  thick  and  fine  down,  almoft  as  foft 
as  filk  ;  this  fort  is  much  ufed  in  the  hatter's  bufmefs,&ct 
The  Caftor  is  found  in  this  animal,  and  is  of  peculiar 
ufe  in -certain  difbrders,  and  of  no  fmall  profit  to  the 
hunter. 

The  Buffalo  is  found  in  the  greateft  perTeclidh  an£ 
plenty  in  this  quarter,  and  of  great  confequence  to  thfc 
Scanyawtauragahrooote  Indians ;  it  is  much  larger 
than  a  common  Ox-^-has  fhort  black  horns,  with  a  large 
beard  under  its  chin  ; 'his  head  is  fo  full  of  hair  that  it 
falls  over  its  eyes,  which  gives  a  difagreeable  appearance. 
This  animal  is  diftinguiihed  from  others  by  a  large 
bunch  on  its  back,  beginning  at  the  haiinches, 'increaf- 
!ng  gradually  to  the  fhouldel-s  and  he"ck.  The  whole 
body  is  covered  with  long  hair  of  a  dun  or  moiife  colour 
—its  head  is  larger  than  a'Biill's^'ith  a  very  Oiort  neck — 
the  bread  is  broad—  the  body  dec'reafeth  towards  it's 
rump. — The  Buffalo's  flefh  is  excellent  food^ — its  hidd 
very  ufeful — ^itshair  much  ufed  in  tftanufadurlng  many 
articles. 

Cat  of  the  Mountain,  6r  Wild  Gat,  in  fliape'much  re- 
fembles  our  common  houfe  Cat,  but  much  larger. 
Their  whole  ikin  is  beautified  with  black  fpots — the  hair 
which  covers  the  body,  in  general,  is  of  a  redifh  cafto 
This  animal  is  very  fierce,  and  will  engage  animals  of 

fuperior 


APPENDIX.  roj 

i&pe'fior  bulk,  and  by  its  dexterity  in  ufmg  its  claws  will 
donquer  animals  of  fttperior  ftrength  and  agility: 

Beer.  This  "animal  is  well  known  in  this  country. 
They  are  of  a  deep  fallow  or  pale  colour — light  on  the 
foot,  and  excellent  food"," and  are  in  great  plenty  in  the  un 
cultivated  parts  of  America. 

Dogs  among  the  Indians  are  numerous,  and  of  great 
life  and  much  "pronYas  well  in  hunting  animals  of  the 
wildernefs,  as  in  queft  of  water  fowl  and  other  feathered 
game.  They  are  early  taught  to  follow  and  affiil  the 
hunter  whenever  neeeffury.  'Tis  rare  to  meet  an  In 
dian  in  the  woods  without  his  Dog'  (unlefs  when  on 
fome  warlike-enterprize)  who  is  treated  by  his  matter 
with  familiarity,  and  at  all  times  \vith  his  benefactor 
iliares  in  what  the  wigwam  affords  while  at  eafe,  crouch 
ing  at  his  matter's  feet,  and  in  hunting  does  not  loofe 
his  mare  of  the  game. 

Nothing  can  exceed  the  attachment  and  fidelity  df 
the  Dog  to  his  owner  on  all  occafions  by  night  as  well  as 
by  day. 

The  Indian  Dogs  appear  to  be  of  one  f*pecles,  in 
tTsofe,  the  qualities  of  the  Spaniel,  the  Grey-Hound,  the 
Maftiff,  the  Bull-Dog,  the  Fox-Hunter,  and  the  Blood- 
Hound* 
P 


sS6  APPENDIX. 

Hound,  fo  much  prized  in  European  nations,  feem  to 
unite  in  forming  one  complete  Indian  Dog,  whofe  head 
as  well  as  the  other  parts  of  his  body  as  nearly  refembles 
that  of  a  Wolfe  as  any  animal  whatever. 


Many  anecdotes  have  been  related  of  the  fagachy 
and  fidelity  of  a  Dog  to  his  matter  5  among  a  variety,  I 
fhall  feleft  one  only. 

"  In  one  of  the. weftern  forts  within  the  limits  of  the 
United  States,  an  American  officer,  accompanied  by  his 
trufty  Dog  only, left  the  fort  in  queft  of  fome  fmall  game, 
having  travelled  fome*way  into  the  wocfds  was  met  by- 
two  ladiansy  who  knocked  the  officer  down  and  fcalped 
I)im  ;  the  Dog  was  not  noticed  by  the  Indians,  who, 
after  the  enemy  had  left  his  mafter,  licked  the  wound, 
and  tarried  by  the  body  for  fome  time,  often  repeating 
his  friendly  aid,  at  length  difcovering  fome  motion  in 
the -mangled  body,  the  Dog  (as  though  he  knew  that 
fome  farther  afiiftance  was  neceiTary  to  compleat  a  cure) 
ran  to  the  fort  ;  fome  officers, at  that  time  walking  at  a 
final!  ciiflance  from  the  parade,  the  .Dog  run  up  to  them 
fawning  round  them,  and  running  from  them  towards 
the  place  where  lay  his  matter's  almott  lifelefs  body-, 
The  officers  at  firft  b.'it  little  noticed  him,  but  upon  the 
Dog's  repeating  the  fame,  they  followed  the  friendly 
,  who  led  them  to  the-  wounded  man*  The  ofB- 

•  cers 


APPENDIX.  ,167 

cers  carried  the  body  to  the  fort,  where,  by  proper  ap 
plication  the  maimed  officer  foon  recovered  his  wonted 
health,  and  afterwards  became,  an  ornament  to  the 
American  heroes." 

The  Fox,  Hare,  Marten,  Mole,  Mink,  Mufkquafh,  or 
Water-  Rat,  Moufe,  Rabbit,  Squirrel,  Skunk,  Weafel  and 
Woodchuck  are  fo  well  known  in  almoft  every  part  o£ 
the  United  States,  that  a  particular  defcription  in  this 
book  muft  be  needlefs  ;  I  therefore  fhall  pafs  them  over 
and  proceed  in  the  propofed  order  to  defcribe  fuch  as 
are  commonly  found  in  the  Indian  country,  ivnd  are 
flrangers  to  this  part  of  America.. 

The  Hedgehog  and  Porcupine"  fo  nearly  referable 
ench  other  that  in  defcribing  o.ij  the  re::;:::  may 
form  an  idea -of  the  other,  although  by  feme  ccnilderc. 
as  two  diftincl  animals.  It  is  about  the  bulk  of  a  fxnall 
I>og,  but  of  fhorter  legs  ;  its  body  is  covered  with  hair 
..of  a  dark  brown,  and  armed  with  quills  on  almoft  every 
part  of  the  body;  thofe  on-  its  back  are  nioft  fubftan- 
lial.  Thofe  quills  are  this  animal's  defenfive  and  of- 
fenfive  weapons,  which  at  pleafure  he  difcharges  at  his 
enemy.  Whenever  they  enter  the  flefh  in  any  degree, 
they  will  fink  into  it,  and  are  not  to  be  extracted  but 
by  incifion.  The  Indians  make  ufe  of  thefe-  quills  in 
boring  their  ears  and  nofes  to  infert  their  pendants, 

ar.d 


568  APPENDIX 

undalfo  as  ornaments  to  their  ftockings,  mogafons,  hair, 
&c  5 .  their  flefh  is  efteerned  by  the  Indians. 


The  Moofe  by  fome  is  faid  to  be  of  the  Deer  kind? 
but  on  a  clofe  examination  'tis  found  to  be  an  animal 
ef  a  diftinct  fpecies  from  the  Deer,  both  in  its  bulk  and 
particular  formation  ;  the  Deer  being  gant  and  of  a 
lender  body,long  leged  and  light  on  the  foot — its  horns 
long,  {lender,  round  and  branching.  The  Moofe  is  in 
body  nearly  of  the  bulk  of  a  well  fed  horfe,  its  legs  fhorr 
ter  and  .more  ftockey. — its  horns  near  the  bafe  are  nearly 
a-ound  and  large,  as  they  expand,  more  flat  and  lefs 
branching.  This  aniraal  fheds  his  thorns  annually— it$ 
.lii'iir  is  of  a  light  grey,  with  a  fmall  mixture  of  blackifh 
red—the  tail  very  fliort — its  fisfh  is  good  food,  nour- 
iS  filing  and  eafy  of  digeftion  ;  the  upper  lip  when  prep- 
c:ly  cook'd  is  much  efteemcu — its  hide  is  very  proper 
for  leather,  being  thick,  ftrong,  foft  and  pliable.  The 
Moofe  never  appears  when  in  motion,  but  on  a  trot. 
This  animal  is  rarely  to  be  met  with  on  or  near  the 
Scanyawtauragabrooote  Ifland,  its  haunts  being  much 
further  north — its  food  through  the  winter  is  the  buds 
und  mofs  of  tr&es. 


The  Otter  i-s  an  amphibious  animal,  and  much  rc» 

fembles  the  Beaver  in  its  head  and   fore   parts  of  the 

-  "ts  teeth,   are  fliaped  more  like  a  ,  Fox  or  Wolfj 

The 


A  PP- END  IX.  10*9 

The  Otter's  hair  is- much  longer  than  that  of  the  Bea 
ver,  and  of  a   greyifh  caft.     This  animal  is  to  be  met 
\vith  in  almoil  all   parts  of  uncultivated    America,  i;> 
nHichievGUs,  and  if  clofely  purfued  will  attack  men  ai- 
well  as  dogs — in   the  fummer  feafon  it   feeds    on    fifn,- 
during  the  winter  'tis  content  with  the  bark  of  trees,  £c  • 
—its  flefh  is  of  a  fifliy  tafte  and  fmel-1,  and  is  not  eaten  ••• 
but  in  cafes  of  nee e {Tit y,  - 

Raccoon.     This  animal  is   fomethmg  fmalfer  than 
a  'Beaver — its  legs  fhorter — its  head  is  much  like  a  Fox 
—its  ears  (hotter,  more  round  and    naked— its  hair  is 
thick,  long  and  foft,  intermixed  with  a  fort  of  fur,  which 
is  of  great  ufe  to  the  hatter— on  its  face  a  broad  ftripe 
of  wl lite  ruiis  acrofjit   which  includes  the  ey. 
are  large-— the  teeth -are  fimilar  to    a   Dof;'i;   in'il 
and  number — the  tail- is  long  vanu  round,   wit! 
ftripes  on  it-— the  feet  have  five  long  fle^fd^r  t; 
a  r rri  e  d  wi  tli '  a  fli  arp  'claw  b  y  \v  h  i  c  h  the  y  T-*  111:  c  a  fc  < 
trees  into   the  extremity  of  the  boughs — ••it'tifes  it> 
feet  like  the  Squirrel  to  feed  itfelf — its 
after  being  fattened  on  nuts,  ^<c.  eats    very   good,  and 
is  much  valued  by.  the  hunteis  in  that  ieaibn, 

Tiger.     This  is  an  animal  mu'c]i    ffi 
Indians,  as  they  are  ravenous  and    6i 
when  caught  by  the. hunter  ;  they    a] 
like   the    Wolfe,    aimed   with    claws,    long    raid   yery 


ifo  APPENDIX. 

fharp  ;  their  hair  is  of  a  darkifti  fallow,  and  entirely 
free  from  fpots  —  they  fecreet  themfelves  under  the 
cover  of  fome  thick  buflies,  and  on  the  near  approach 
of  fonie  animal  or  hunter,  fuddenly  leaps  from  his  re 
treat,  feizes  its  prey,  which  falls  afacjifice  ;  for  from 
the  Tiger's  claws  there  is  no  efcape  ;  thofe  animals  are 
but  rarely  met  with,  which  the  Indians  eileem  as  one  of 
the  greateft  favours. 

Wolf.  This  animal  by  fome  is  called  the  wild 
Dog,  and  much  refembles  him  in  its  form  ;  they  are, 
however  much  longer  bodied  and  longer  leged  —  their 
colour  in  general,  is  that  of  a  dun^pr  dark  brown  —  fome 
few  are  grey  ;  whether  this  is  owing  to  their  great  age, 
or  is  their  natural  hue,  I  am  at  a>  lofs  to  determine. 
The  Wolf  is  a  great  night  walker,  and  often  thins  the 
new  fettler's  ftock,  as  well  the  yearling  cattle  as  fheep 
and  lambs  in  the  interior  parts  of  this  country.  Wolves 
often  herd  together  in  the  night,  which  is  generally 
known,  in  the  vicinity  of  their  refort,  by  the  hideous 
yellings  the  Wolves  are  careful  rarely  to  omit. 

OF  rnaiR  BIRDS. 


BLACK-BIRD,  *Blue-Jay,  *Crane,  *Crow,  *Cuc- 
Voo,  *Duck,   *Eagle,  *Tifh,Hawk,   *Goofe,  *Hawk, 

Humming- 

Thofe  marked  thus  *are  fo  common  in    this  country,  that 
i  paiticular  defcription  of  them  in  this   work  would  be  but  to 

remind 


APPENDIX.  i?t 

Humming* Bird,  *King-Bird,  *Lark,  *Loon,  *Martin, 
*Night-Hawk,  *Owl,  *Parrot,  *Partridge,  *Pellican> 
*  Pigeon,  *Quail, .  *  Raven,  *Robin,  *Snipe,  *Stork, 
*Swallow,  *Teal,  *Thru(h,  *Turkey,  Wacon-Bird, 
*Water-hen,Whetfaw,  *Whtppoorwill,* Woodpecker  £ 
*Wren  are  to  be  met  with  in  all  parts  of  this  country 
during  the  fummer  months. 


Black-Bird.  There  are  three  forts  of  birds  in  A- 
merica  (that  naturalills)  diftinguifh  under  this  name, 
viz.  the  Crow  Black-Bird,  which  is  of  the  largeft  fize, 
and  builds  its  neft  on  high  trees>  inacceflable  to  boys 
in  queft  of  bird's  eggs  ;  of  this  kind  there  are  a  great 
plenty;  in  autumn  they  are  feen  in  large  flocks, 
and  greatly  infeft  cornfields,  and  do  much  dam 
age  by  robbing  the  induftrious  farmer  of  the  fruit 
of  his  fummer's  toil,  unlefs  prevented  by  timely  pre^ 
cautions  ;  however,  their  rapacity  is  but  of  fhort  con* 
tinuance,  for  when  froft  nips  hard  they  are  feen  no 
more  for  that  feafon  ;  as  they  are  birds  of  pafTage,  they 
retire  to  fome  unfrequented  and  more  favourable  cli* 

mate. 


remind  ahnoft  every  reader  of  what  he  is  already  fully  ac 
quainted  with  ;  I  would  juft  obferve  that  they  are  found  in  the 
greateft  perfe£lion  in  the  Indian  country.  The  Goofe  and 
Turkey  are  not  domcfticated  by  t^e  natives  of  the  land,,  but  in 
a  wild'  (late  and  in  great  plenty. 


W  APPENBI-^. 

mate.  The  fecond  fort  are  of  a  fmaller  fize  than  the 
former,  and  are  diftinguiflied  from  them  by  the  nam<^ 
of  the  Red-Wing  Black-Bird,  having  the  whole  of  its 
body  covered  with  black  feathers,  except  on  the- lower 
edge  of  its  wings,  which  is  of  a  bright  fcarlet — this 
fort  build  their  neft  on  low  bu  flies,  on  or  near  Avampy 
ground,  their  eggs  are  comeattible  by,  b$ys,  which  ac 
counts  for  their  fcarcity  when  compared  with  the  Crow 
Black-Bird,  They  are  not  (either  fort)  prized  for 
their  fongs.  The  third  and  laft  fort  are  much  fmaller 
than  either  of  the  former,  and  are  of  a  jet  black,' except 
a  fmall  part  of  white  on  its  head  and  back — this  fort 
build  their  nefts  on  the  ground,  and  ufe  a  few  warbling 
nDtes.  The  female  is  of  a  brown  colour  and  is  not  a 
finger. 


The  Humming  bird  is  peculiar  to  America,  and  19 
not  known  in  any  other  part  of  the  globe  j  'tis  the  fmal- 
left  of  the  feathered  airy  inhabitants — its  legs  are  pro 
portionally  fmall  to  its  body,  and  are  not  biger  than 
two  fmall  needles—its  plumage  exceeds  defcription — is 
has  a  fmall  tuft  on  its  head  of  a  finning  black — its  breaft 
;s  red — the  belly  white—- the  back,  wings  and  tail  a 
pale. green — fmall  fpecks  of  a  gold  cad  are  fcattered 
over  the  whole  body — an  almofl  imperceptible  down 
foftens  the  colours,  and  produces  the  rnoft  plea/Ing 


APPENDIX.  175 

itiades — with  its  bill,  which  is  proportionablyfmall  to  its 
body,  it  extracts  moifture  from  flowers,  which  is  its 
nouriftiment ;  over  which  it  hovers  like  a  Bee,  without 
lighting,  conftantly  moving  its  wrings  with  fuch  veloci 
ty,  that  the  motion  is  imperceptible  ;  this  quick  moticii 
caufeth  a  humming  noife,  from  whence  it  receives  its 

name. 

/ 

Tfce  Wacqn-Bird  is  nearly  the  fize  cf  the  fwallow, 
of  a  brown  colour,  fhaded  about  the  neck  with  a  brig!\£ 
green  ;  the  wings  are  of  a  darker  brown  than  the  body 
— its  tail  is  compofed  of  four  or  five  feathers  beautifully 
fliaded  with  green  and  purple,  and  is  three  times  as 
long  as  its  body,  it  carries  this  length  of  plumage  in 
the  fame  manner  as  the  Peacock  docs,  but  does  not 
raife  it  into  an  ere& -pofition — the  name  of  this  bird 
fignifies  the  bird  of  the  great  fpirit,  and  is  held  in  great 
veneration  by  the  Indians,  and  treated  by  them  as  a. 
bird  of  fuperior  rank  to  any  of  the  feathered  race. 

The  Whetfaw  is  of  the  Cuckoo  kind,  is  a  folitary 
bird,  and  rarely  to  be  met  with  in  the  fummer  months 
— 'tis  heard  in  the  groves ;  its  noife  founds  like  ths 
whetting  of  a  faw,  from  whence  it  receives  its  name* 

OF  THEIR  FISH. 

THERE  is.  as  great  a  variety  of  fiih  in  the  rivers 
aa<I  lakes  within  the  territory  of  the  S  cany  aw  t  aura  g  ah? 

tooote 


174  A  P  P  E  N  D  I  X, 

rooote  Indians  as  are  to  be  caught  in  any  other  interior 
part  of  America  :  thofe  that  are  accounted  of  the 
greateft  value,are  -the  Sturgeon,  Pout  or  Cat-Fifti,  Pike, 
Carp  and  Club  :  thefe  are  (in  their  feafon)  caught  in 
great  plenty  and  are  of  fuperior  excellence. 


Of  SERPENTS. 

RATTLE-SNAKE,  long  Black-Snake,  Adder, 
Striped-Snake,  Water-Snake,  Hiffing-Snake,  Turkey- 
Snake,  Green-Snake,  Speckled-Snake,  and  Ring-Snake 
are  to  be  met  with  in  almoft  all  the  Indian  territories. 

As  all  the  above  mentioned  makes  axe  to  be  found 
in  many  parts  .of  the  United  States,  except  the  Rattle- 
Snake  and  Turkey-Snake,  I  jQiall  not  attempt  a  partic- 
ticulur  dsfcrip.tion  of  any  except  thofe  two. 

Rattle-Snake.  This  ferpent  is  of  all  the  ferpentile 
fpecies  moft  to  be  feared  ;  its  bite  (if  not  prevented  by 
fbme  early  and  proper  application)  proves  fatal — at 
its  full  growth  'tis  about  five  feet  in  length,  it  mea^ 
fures  round  its  body  about*  eight  inches,  from  its  centre 
it  gradually  decreafeth  both  towards  its  head  and  tail— 
the  neck  is  fmall,  the  head  broad  and  deprefled — they 
are  of  a  brown  colour— the  eye  appears  of  a  bright  red . 
and  very  piercing — the  upper  part  of  its  body  of  a 
brown,  mixed  with  a  ruddy  yellow,  and  chequer'dwitn 

many' 


APPENDIX.  175 

inany  regular  lines  of  a  deep  black,  gradually  to  a  gold 
colour — the  belly  is  of  a  pale  blue,  which  grows  fuller 
as  it  approacheth  its  fides.  This  fnake  gives  the  trav 
eller  notice  of  hrs  danger  by-ftiaking  the  rattles  at  its 
tail  ;  the  number  denotes  its  age  as  one  is  added  every 
year  of  its  life. 

The  Turkey-Snake  is  aboutUx  feet  in  length,  pro 
portionally  large  in  its  body,  and  of  a  dufky  colour — 
this  fnake  takes  its  name  from  its  preying  upon  the 
Wild-Turkey  principally.  The  method  of  its  taking  the 
Turkey  is  in  the  manner  following. 

The  fnake  on  finding  a  tree  on  which  the  Turkey*; 
are  wont  to  rooft  at  night,  afcends  it,  to  its  lowed 
branches  entwines  its  tail  round  a  branch  with  its 
head  downwards,  draws  its  body  into  a  fmall  compafs, 
not  unlike  the  form  of  a  Wafp's  neft.  Whenever  t  h 
Turkey  approaches  its  wonted  place  of  reft,  the  Snake 
fufpended  as  above  related,  with  a  hifllng  noife  draws 
a  Turkey  directly  under  its  enemy,  who,  as  by  a  charm 
feizes  its  deluded  prey,  entwines  its  body  round  the 
Turkey's  neck,  robs  it  of  life,  then  with  its  tongue  licks 
every  part  of  the  bird,  which  leaves  a  certain  gluey 
fubftance  that  ferves  to  lubricate  the  body  fo  that  the 
fnake  fwallows  the  bird  with  more  eafe  ;  thus  prepared 
the  ferpent  takes  it  by  the  head  and  gradually  fucks  iri 
the  body  with  its  feathers,  &c, 


i>  6  APPENDIX. 

Infe&s,  Lizards,  &c.  are  of  the  fame  kind  aiftl 
qualities  as  in  this  country. 

TREES  as  well  thofe  of  high  land  as  low,  are 
there  found  in  as  great  plenty  in  that  country  as  in 
tiiis  part  of  America,  and  as  great  a  variety,  but  in 
general  of  a  larger  growth. 

The  foil  appears  mote  rich  in  the  Indian  country 
than  in  any^ part  of  the  United  States,  at  leaft  in  fuch 
parte  as  I  have  travelled,  the  height  and  bulk  of  the 
trees  clearly  evinces  this. 

Roots,  plants  and  flowers  appear  of  the  fame  form 
and  quality  as  in  New-England,  but  of  a  fpontarieous 
growth. 

Indian  corn,  or  maize,  Beans  and  fquaflies  are  the 
only  food  cultivated  by  the  Scanyawtauragahrooote 

Inciians, 


I  N  f  S. 


N319177 


